IT asset disposition firm 4THBIN and downstream processor ecoTech Management have joined together in a move company leaders say merges their expertise in the front-end and back-end sectors of used device management.
The New York City-area companies on Jan. 7 announced their merger, which was completed in November. In an interview with E-Scrap News this week, company leaders explained the opportunities they anticipate from joining forces.
Sebastian Passarello, chief financial officer for ecoTech and 4THBIN, said the companies looked at the deal as a way to combine a front-facing service provider that clients know and value with the commodity recovery knowledge of an experienced downstream processor.
“We’re trying to really be a cradle-to-grave solution provider to a lot of clients, from the initial pickup through the 4THBIN process, right through to the end of life through the commodity recovery,” Passarello said.
John Kirsch, co-founder and director of business development at 4THBIN, noted the companies have had a working relationship for more than a decade, going back to the early days of his company.
4THBIN launched in New York City in September 2009, serving what Kirsch said was a growing need for companies performing equipment upgrades. Offices were not only wondering what to do with their old IT equipment during a refresh, but they were increasingly interested in ensuring the devices were responsibly managed during disposition. E-scrap management was in the news, including in a 2008 episode of CBS’ 60 Minutes, in which the Basel Action Network (BAN) highlighted U.S. electronics exported to Asia. 
Seeing a need for responsible collection and downstream practices, 4THBIN began retiring devices and providing other IT asset disposition services – with the distinction of being an early New York-area adherent to the e-Stewards standard (which is administered by BAN).
The company quickly began working with ecoTech Management, the Long Island-based electronics recycling arm of longtime metals recycler Crestwood Metal Corp., and a fellow e-Stewards-certified firm.
EcoTech, which was formed as a dedicated electronics processor around 2010, processes devices from a variety of sources. Besides ITAD suppliers, it works directly with clients like hospitals, municipalities, school districts and other large generators. The company operates in a 50,000-square-foot facility on five acres of land in Holbrook, N.Y., adjacent to the Crestwood Metal Corp. operations, where it performs device dismantling and commodity recovery services.
The combined company is maintaining both brands, and ecoTech will continue to work with other suppliers, including recycling firms and direct suppliers.
EcoTech currently has the capacity to process about 30 million pounds of electronics per year. 4THBIN, meanwhile, recently hit a milestone of performing its 15,000th device pickup late last year. A majority of its clients are in the New York metropolitan area, but it has worked with clients across North America and in Europe.
