In the city known for it's bright lights, dense traffic and cultural wow factor, New York City is adding an attractive label to it's eco-friendly repertoire. NYC is set to become the first U.S. city to require electronics recycling, rather than adding to the already overflowing city landfills.

What the city council calls "trailblazing environmental legislation" amounts to stiff fines if companies fail to meet specific recycling standards. New Yorkers introduce 25,000 tons of wasted electronics to landfills annually, which produce a large percentage of lead, mercury and other toxic chemicals.

By 2012, manufacturers are required to take back 25 percent (weight) of old TVs, computers, etc. That percentage will increase to 65 percent by 2018, but the city won't begin refusing to accept wasted materials until July 2010, so it will be up to companies to start the charge when the legislation kicks off in 2009.