Ryan & Wallace push for legislation to reduce copper, catalytic converter theft in New York

Say legislation would create stronger regulations on scrap metal recycling and catalytic converter manufacturing

Submitted by the Office of New York State Sen. Sean Ryan

On Friday, New York State Sen. Sean Ryan and Assemblywoman Monica Wallace joined with local law enforcement and regional scrap metal recycling facility leaders, at a press conference at Niagara Metals in Cheektowaga, to push for legislation aimed at reducing the alarming rise in copper and catalytic converter theft. This bill, in collaboration with efforts from law enforcement and local scrap metal businesses, would help stabilize the metal recycling market.

The legislation is sponsored in the Senate by Ryan and in the Assembly by member Marianne Buttenschon (S.8769/A.9056). This bill would require catalytic converters to be marked with a serial number for quick identification. It also would establish stricter standards for scrap metal recycling facilities in New York, and create penalties for those who fail to comply with the regulations.

This legislation is supported by law enforcement officials and ReMa, the Recycled Materials Association.

The price of copper reached an all-time high in 2024. The U.S. Department of Energy reports $1 billion in annual losses due to copper theft. And catalytic converter theft has seen a disastrous rise of 900% since 2019.

Ryan said, “Theft of copper, particularly in the form of catalytic converters, is at an all-time high. It takes a thief just minutes to steal a component that could cost the victim thousands to replace. With this new legislation, we hope to greatly discourage such thefts and catch those responsible for these incidents.”

Wallace said, "In the face of a nationwide wave of catalytic converter theft, it's imperative that we enact control measures to stop the illegal resale of these devices and bring offenders to justice. I support Sen. Ryan's legislation to set statewide standards for scrap metal recycling facilities to record information about resellers in order to deter theft and help law enforcement hold offenders accountable."

Batavia Police Chief Shawn Heubush, president of the New York State Association of Chiefs of Police, said, “Working together we can make a difference. The partnership that the NYS Association of Chiefs of Police, and its members, have with ReMa is a great example of how collaboration can work to keep our communities safe.”

Lawrence Schillinger, ReMa compliance counsel, said, “The recycling industry’s online theft alert system coordinates local law enforcement agencies with recyclers to identify and apprehend thieves who steal catalytic converters, copper and other metals. To date, $3.5 million in stolen metal has been recovered using the ReMa ‘ScrapTheftAlert’ system.”