Electronics recycling is one tough business. Industry companies are encountering high operating costs, low profit margins and the “C word” (commodities). What if technology could make the process more profitable? Imagine end-of-life electronics that were manufactured with radio frequency identification (RFID) tags. Detailed, accurate inventories could be automatically captured as items are received at a recycling facility. Information on materials...

One morning not too long ago, I began previewing my schedule for the day ahead and remembered that I had an appointment for a root canal. I actually felt a sense of relief that for a few hours I would have a break from the challenges facing our industry. Yes, the size of electronic devices is shrinking rapidly, but per-capita...