Colin Staub is a reporter at Resource Recycling. He can be contacted at [email protected].
E-scrap generation, by weight, is down by almost 10% compared with its peak in 2015. | DAMRONG RATTANAPONG/Shutterstock
The weight of electronics entering the recycling stream has dropped consistently since hitting its peak in 2015, according to new research. The shift has implications for device processing and policy development.
For years, 5R stockpiled millions of pounds of CRT glass in two states – and hid the violations from regulators and auditors – before the company failed. | Evlakhov Valeriy/Shutterstock
After admitting to his role in a CRT-stockpiling scheme and his company’s legal troubles, an executive at defunct 5R Processors has been ordered to serve 18 months in prison.
TES processes about 3 million electronic devices per year through its ITAD operations, which serve a variety of commercial clients. | dasytnik/Shutterstock
TES recently launched a device return program in collaboration with UPS, a response to office employees working from home during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Figures show a modest increase in recovery and a decrease in generation were responsible for the recycling rate increase. | penofoto/Shutterstock
After declining for multiple years and then remaining flat, the U.S. electronics recycling rate inched back up in 2018, according to new figures from the U.S. EPA.
Research into a self-healable, recyclable PCB material was published in Science Advances. | totojang1977/Shutterstock
Researchers at the University of Colorado have developed a thin circuit board material, designed for wearable devices, that’s easy to recycle at its end of life.
Hyla’s capabilities will reportedly double Assurant’s processing volumes and allow the company to process a wider range of devices. | Quality Stock Arts/Shutterstock
Hyla Mobile, a reverse logistics company that refurbishes and resells phones, has been acquired by insurance and extended warranty provider Assurant.
Nokia and Greener Acres Canada are partnering to use over 48,000 tons of e-scrap in manufacturing “smart” utility poles. | vladdon/Shutterstock
A partnership between a wireless network provider and electronics processor will use end-of-life devices to produce new “smart” utility poles.
The e-scrap metals market saw a significant impact from the coronavirus pandemic, which made obtaining supply a challenging task. | Amy_VonDe/Shutterstock
Processors were not alone in feeling supply and demand impacts from COVID-19. Their downstream partners were in a similar boat, as three smelting and refining experts explained during a presentation last week.
Repair stakeholders say that voter approval of the Massachusetts bill is an indication of growing public support for policies protecting independent access to repair resources. | RoClickMag/Shutterstock
A ballot measure guaranteeing independent automotive repair shops access to crucial vehicle data passed by a large margin in Massachusetts this week. Repair advocates hailed the victory as a sign of support for broader repair legislation.
Oceanside Electronics is projecting to handle about 4 million pounds of electronics over the coming year. | vladdon/Shutterstock
A longtime non-ferrous metals processor has shifted gears and opened his own electronics recycling facility on the east coast of Florida.