In its annual report, Assurant found that the average age of returned devices dropped in tandem with the release of the first AI-enabled phones. | Stock Rocket/Shutterstock
With nearly one-third of U.S. consumers expecting to own a phone compatible with artificial intelligence by mid-2025, users could start upgrading phones at a faster pace, according to the most recent industry trend report from insurance and extended warranty provider Assurant. Continue Reading
Traceability tools can act as a scorecard, providing proof that recycling works and helping counter an often one-sided narrative in consumer media outlets. | 9dream Studio/Shutterstock
Editor’s note: Learn more about traceability technology and many other topics at the 2025 Plastics Recycling Conference on March 24-26 in National Harbor, Maryland. Continue Reading
3R’s U.S. facility plans to offer a domestic processing option for portions of the e-scrap stream that are increasingly difficult to export. | Photo courtesy Basel Action Network
3R Technology California is getting ready to open up shop at its first U.S. location in the Southern California city of Riverbank. The company processes e-plastics into clean, separated flake to help keep e-plastics in the U.S. Continue Reading
The Minnesota-based nonprofit provided equipment and support for more than 88,000 clients in 2024, according to its recent annual report. | Zach Lorez/Shutterstock
Nonprofit organization PCs for People recently expanded into Seattle, taking over the operations of what was previously the nonprofit InterConnection. Continue Reading
The Illinois Consumer Electronics Recycling Act has a March 1 deadline for participation in the 2026 program year. | Penofoto/Shutterstock
With the approach of the annual March 1 deadline to opt into the 2026 Illinois Consumer Electronics Recycling Act, state and national organizers held an information session and provided an update on amendments to CERA legislation. Continue Reading
Modular PC design would help extend product life and reduce e-scrap with upgradable systems and repairable or replaceable components, wrote the authors of an Intel blog post. | Framesira/Shutterstock
In an effort to encourage improved repairability for computers, chip maker Intel has provided its thoughts on incorporating modular design into electronics to comply with right-to-repair policy. Continue Reading
U.S.-based REEcycle includes a skid mounted drive disassembly system in its arsenal of tools for recovery rare earth elements from magnets. | Courtesy of REEcycle
Rare earth element recycler REEcycle received a $5.1 million award from the U.S. Department of Defense to advance its work in extracting elements critical to neodymium-iron-boron magnets — the key building blocks of renewable energy and national defense technologies. Continue Reading
A site investigation found mercury vapor from lamp recycling throughout an Ohio facility, including administrative offices. | BOONJAEM/Shutterstock
A recent report from a U.S. occupational safety unit found significant levels of mercury vapor throughout an Ohio e-scrap and lamp recycling facility, leading the team to provide recommendations for protecting worker health. Continue Reading
A crucial early step after deciding to incorporate a shredder is to determine what materials a company wants to shred. | Big Wave Productions/Resource Recycling
Evolving technology in electronics shredding can help make value recovery more efficient and profitable, but there are several considerations companies must factor in before investing in new equipment, panelists said at the recent E-Scrap Conference. Continue Reading
New rules covering e-retailers such as Amazon that import into the U.K. will introduce a category specifically for vapes, among other changes. | B..Robinson/Shutterstock
New U.K. rules will require online retailers importing electronics into the country to contribute to costs associated with recycling e-scrap there, and introduce a new category specifically for vapes. Continue Reading