Back to Top

Author Archives: Colin Staub

About Colin Staub

Colin-StaubColin Staub is a reporter at Resource Recycling. He can be contacted at [email protected].

Here are the rules on handling lithium-ion batteries

Published: February 13, 2020
Updated:

by

A recent presentation offered some tips on how best to ensure compliance with the law when shipping lithium-ion batteries. | XH2/Shutterstock

Batteries from consumer electronics are being increasingly regulated because they can be a problematic material in the recycling stream. Experts recently laid out federal rules for transporting lithium-ion batteries destined for recycling or disposal.

Continue Reading

Posted in Top stories | Tagged |

Cascade: Mobile resale prices surge, computer values drop

Published: January 30, 2020
Updated:

by

Cascade’s annual report includes data the company collected on the 560,000 assets it processed in 2018 and 2019. | fizkes/Shutterstock

Resale values for used computers declined in 2019 after multiple years of increases, according to an ITAD firm. One possible culprit is generators opting for device destruction over data wiping.

Continue Reading

E-scrap issues abound around the globe

Published: January 30, 2020
Updated:

by

Electronics recycling has made headlines around the world in recent weeks. | Vasin Lee/Shutterstock

Countries and companies worldwide are looking to support proper end-of-life device management, according to recent news reports and announcements.

Continue Reading

Posted in News |

Processor: Battery-sparked fires burn ‘fast and furious’

Published: January 23, 2020
Updated:

by

Lithium-ion batteries have caused numerous fires around the country, both in e-scrap facilities and in materials recovery facilities. | Mehaniq/Shutterstock

An e-scrap firm recently described the fire hazard lithium-ion batteries present and emphasized the importance of identifying and properly handling them.

Continue Reading

Posted in Top stories | Tagged |

Researchers explore PCB flame retardant removal

Published: January 23, 2020
Updated:

by

Printed circuit boards are made of roughly 30% metal and 70% nonmetals. | Sebastian_Photography/Shutterstock

Scientists who set their sights on potentially hazardous chemicals in scrap electronics say they can effectively break down the flame retardants in shredded circuit boards.

Continue Reading

Posted in News | Tagged , |

Potential e-plastics export disruption on the horizon

Published: January 16, 2020
Updated:

by
Cargo ship docked at port.

In April, the Chinese government will enact new requirements for pellet imports. | Piyathep/Shutterstock

Officials in Beijing are set to enact new requirements around the purity of recycled plastic pellets imported into China, which could disrupt international markets for U.S. e-plastics.
Continue Reading

Posted in Top stories | Tagged , , |

Business demand spurs rise in PC sales

Published: January 16, 2020
Updated:

by

Gartner reported that businesses upgrading to Windows 10 played into strong demand last year. | People Image Studio/Shutterstock

Global PC purchases increased in 2019, reversing a years-long downward trend. The growth was driven primarily by sales to the business sector

Continue Reading

Posted in News | Tagged , |