The Case for Reuse. Why Electronics Reuse is a Win-Win Proposition

Posted on January 30, 2012 by admin

While Americans know that e-waste is a mounting environmental problem, high rates of unemployment persist, and the digital divide plagues millions of Americans, they’re not always aware of a viable solution — electronics reuse. Electronics reuse is extending the life of an electronic item by using it more than once for a similar or new function. Reusing unwanted electronic goods not only benefits the environment by keeping toxins out of the landfill, it also allows local communities to reap the social and economic benefits of job training, job creation, and helps shrink the digital divide. Continue reading →

Verizon Kicks Off Series of Nationwide Electronics Recycling Rallies

Posted on January 26, 2012 by admin

The first of 13 electronics recycling rallies to be held at Verizon facilities around the country this year kicked off Thursday (Jan. 26) at the company’s Temple Terrace facility. Similar events held by Verizon in 2011 collected more than 358,000 pounds of e-waste, about the equivalent weight of 10 charter buses, that was recycled and kept out of landfills.

Recycling rallies, which enable employees and members of the surrounding community to conveniently recycle household electronics items ranging from laptops to toasters to monitors, are part of Verizon’s broad commitment to help protect and preserve the environment. Continue reading →

Recycling Electronics Helps Technology Value Financial (TVF) Revenue Jump 400 Percent

Posted on January 16, 2012 by admin

Technology Value Financial announced it has seen 400 percent revenue growth in two years– because it recycles electronics as they come off lease. The subsidiary of GreenLoop IT of Harrisburg, Penn., proves that companies want to go green and save the environment even as they save money on technology leases.

Vic Eliau, senior vice president of Technology Value Financial. (Oak Tree Communications Photo)

“In many cases, parts value of returned technology can be more valuable than the whole unit,” said Eilau. “Customers end up with better solutions because we are able to provide them lower rates on the lease if our affiliate gets the residual.”

Continue reading →

ecoATM to Display Consumer Electronics Recycling Kiosk at Upcoming International Consumer Electronics Show (CES).

Posted on January 6, 2012 by admin

ecoATM’s award-winning consumer electronics recycling kiosk will be exhibited at the Grand Lobby of the Las Vegas Convention Center from 10 to 13 January during the 2012 International CES.

The company, based in San Diego, is known for designing novel kiosks that automate the buy-back procedure of used mobile phones and portable electronics directly from consumers.

The innovative kiosk solves the emerging problem of e-waste across the globe. The company utilizes patented electronic diagnostics, machine vision and artificial intelligence to assess and purchase used MP3 players and mobile phones directly from consumers. The kiosks offer a suitable trade-in solution by visually and electronically evaluating consumer electronics. Payment is made instantly to the consumers either in cash or store credit. The kiosks automatically administer both trade-in and trade-up promotions for manufacturers and retailers.

ecoATM’s Chairman and CEO, Tom Tullie stated that the company will demonstrate its latest technology to consumers, device manufacturers, government officials and retailers at the International CES.

The company believes that used electronics can be restored and utilized by consumers. In fact, around 75% of the used devices can be reused again. For the remaining electronics, the company works with BAN-certified or R2-certified recyclers who recover the precious metals and raw materials in an eco-friendly way.

ecoATM has set up a network of kiosks across California and has also planned a nationwide rollout in 2012. At present, the kiosks can accept MP3 players and cell phones. By January end, they will also accept Kindle, iPad, Galaxy and Nook.

The company has received a number of awards. Some of the awards include Innovative product of the year at the 2010 International electronics recycling conference & expo (IERCE), CONNECT’s Most Innovative Product Award 2009, Coinstar’s Next Big Idea Contest; Popular Science’s 2010 Best of What’s New Award in Green Technology, and Green Goddess Award for DEMO Spring to name a few.

eRecyclingCorps Secures $35M in Funding Led by Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers

Posted on January 3, 2012 by admin

E-waste management company eRecyclingCorps (ERC) has secured a $35 million funding, led by investors Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers.

ERC launched in 2009, with investments from OpenAir Equity Partners and S.J.F. Ventures, and has since gained Verizon and Sprint as customers for its “instant in-store credit” incentive plan for the recycling of phased out mobile devices.

ERC was founded on the idea of creating opportunities to recycle the 130 million annually discarded mobile devices in the U.S., in a manner that benefits both mobile carriers and customers. Currently only 10% of such mobile devices are recycled, according to estimates by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

The company was founded by former RadioShack CEO David Edmondson, and former Sprint PCS CEO and current Managing Director of OpenAir Equity Partners, Ron LeMay.

ERC works through a Web-based platform that applies credits for old mobile devices toward the sale of new ones at participating carrier retail stores, where 60% of all U.S. wireless devices are sold. The company’s website mentions that the average American changes his or her mobile handset every 12-18 months. ERC trades more than 2.5 million every year, since its inception in 2009.

The company complies with EPA guidelines, including the use of “downstream recyclers and processors,” and implementing a “zero landfill” policy.

ERC recycles these devices through refurbishment and then offering them for reuse. “We partner with Level 3 and 4 certified device processing, repair and refurbishment operations,” says the company on their website. ”This ensures not only industry-leading renewal, but also a strict data clearing and privacy approach.”

ERC also indicated on their website that recycled mobile devices are reused by “people in developing countries with limited means.” Whether those devices are donated or sold in this part of the recycling process, or what the terms of those sales are, is not immediately clear.

Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) Spent $760K Lobbying Federal Government on Electronics Recycling In Third Quarter Alone.

Posted on December 14, 2011 by admin

The Consumer Electronics Association spent $760,000 to lobby the federal government during the third quarter on electronics recycling, trade, rules for the federal Energy Star program and other issues, according to a disclosure report.

That is the same amount it spent in the second quarter and more than the $400,000 it spent a year ago, according to reports filed with the House clerk’s office.

According to its Oct. 20 filing, the CEA lobbied Congress, the Environmental Protection Agency, the White House and Energy Department and other federal agencies.

Many of its concerns involved the environment. CEA represents manufacturers and distributors of consumer electronics, including Apple Inc., Dell Inc. and Hewlett-Packard Co. One of the challenges facing the industry is how to make products with fewer hazardous materials and how to make it easy for consumers to dispose of them properly after upgrading to new gadgets.

The CEA also lobbied on issues related to free trade. American tech companies have sought loosening of trade regulations so they can sell more products abroad.

CEA also lobbied on issues including wireless communications and energy efficiency.