Federal funding will target e-scrap separation for metals and plastics recovery. | Jer123 / Shutterstock
A government-backed institute that has funded e-scrap recycling research in recent years is accepting applications for another round of grants.
Associate Editor Jared Paben has worked for Resource Recycling since December 2014. Most of his earlier career was spent as a reporter for the daily newspaper in Bellingham, Wash., but he also has experience working for the Oregon volunteerism commission and for Oregon nonprofits serving low-income populations. He can be contacted at [email protected].Federal funding will target e-scrap separation for metals and plastics recovery. | Jer123 / Shutterstock
A government-backed institute that has funded e-scrap recycling research in recent years is accepting applications for another round of grants.
Clover Wireless processes over 7 million devices annually. | Maxx-Studio/Shutterstock
Clover Wireless, which operates the largest mobile device repair center in North America, has acquired used device trading platform MaxBack.
Canadian businesses are required to maintain a record of all data breaches. | wk1003mike / Shutterstock
After the first year of mandatory data breach reporting in Canada, it has become clear that lost or stolen records and devices account for a sizeable percentage of breaches.
Used phones of various models are fetching higher prices, according to a processor. | Daniel Krason/Shutterstock
HYLA Mobile reports prices for traded-in mobile phones have steadily increased over the last few years, and the company noted overseas markets for used 4G phones remain strong.
TERRA provides a mail-in collection service that moves e-scrap to multiple processors around the U.S. | Joni Hanebutt/Shutterstock.com
A Nebraska e-scrap company has become the fourth processor to take part in an initiative from TERRA that now covers portions of 13 states.
HP and other electronics manufacturers recently made recycling- and repair-related announcements. | BalkansCat/Shutterstock
A brand owner unveiled a printer made with 30% recycled plastic from old electronics, and iFixit gives better marks for a new Microsoft laptop.
The following are a few recent announcements from OEMs:
E-plastics recycling: HP introduced the HP Tango Terra printer, which is partially made with recycled e-plastics (30% recycled content). The device also uses cartridges made from recycled resin, including plastic that’s at risk of entering the ocean. HP and global processor Sims Recycling Solutions have a partnership focused on recycling e-plastics. HP is also involved in recovering plastics in Haiti that are at risk of washing into the sea.
Foldable phone unveiled: One OEM continues to roll out phones you can fold up, a sign of product shifts the e-scrap industry will be seeing in the coming years. PCMag.com reports Samsung demonstrated a smartphone that can be folded in one of two directions. PCMag noted the company has already marketed the Galaxy Fold but its high price and mediocre reviews limited its success. The publication also noted the first Galaxy Fold devices to be sent out for review earlier this year experienced durability problems.
Repairability improvement: The new Microsoft Surface Laptop 3 is “a radical change for the better” in terms of repairability, according to Kyle Wiens of iFixit. The repair hub graded the device a 5 out of 10 for repairability, 5 points higher than the previous version of the laptop. The company noted the “opening procedure is straightforward, with a clever design that represents a dramatic improvement over its predecessors.” Still, it noted the computer has a “firmly glued-down battery.” In October, iFixit also released teardown guides rating repairability for the Apple Watch Series 5, Google Pixel 4 XL and the OnePlus 7T.
Quantum Lifecycle Partners doesn’t have plans to shut down any of the facilities previously operated by Shift Group or GEEP Canada. | KPixMining/Shutterstock
GEEP Canada and the Shift Group of Companies recently merged to form the largest e-scrap company in Canada. An executive at the firm said a crowded marketplace and evolving materials stream helped drive the move.
A total of 18 defendants have agreed to settle to date. | Chodyra Mike/Shutterstock
The field of companies fighting Closed Loop Refining and Recovery’s former Ohio landlords continues to decrease, after three more defendants agreed to settle.
The FPD PRO can handle devices with displays sizes from 11 inches to 70 inches. | Courtesy of FPD Recycling
A startup led by recycling industry veterans has developed a robotic system for removing hazardous substances from flat-panel display devices. The system is expected to come to a U.S. facility soon.
DSNY’s curbside e-scrap collection is now available to all residents in the Bronx. | Felix Mizioznikov/Shutterstock
New York City’s curbside e-scrap program has grown to serve additional areas of the nation’s largest metropolis.
WorkSafeBC says it found a number of violations during an inspection of KC Recycling’s facility. | Komkrich Marom/Shutterstock
Authorities in British Columbia have fined a battery and electronics recycler, saying the company failed to protect workers from exposure to toxic materials.
Grant money will be used to fund drop-off locations and collection events. | Bennian/Shutterstock
The state of Michigan awarded $270,000 in grants to support electronics recycling in sparsely populated areas.
Organizations around the country will hold used computer collection and donation drives. | Y Photo Studio/Shutterstock
Digital Inclusion Week is being held next week, giving electronics refurbishment companies an opportunity to help bridge the digital divide.
An ISRI commissioned study found that the U.S. recycling industry directly and indirectly supports nearly 532,000 jobs. | priscilla list/Shutterstock
A recently released study estimates the U.S. recycling industry will have a nearly $110 billion economic impact this year. That’s about 6% lower than the number from two years ago.
Ingram Micro committed to having all of its processing facilities achieve e-Stewards certification within three years. | POP-THAILAND/Shutterstock
A nationwide electronics stewardship group has agreed to make its best effort to only contract with e-Stewards-certified processors. Meanwhile, a global ITAD firm will seek e-Stewards certification for all its facilities.
Rare earth metals from production scrap will make their way into Apple iPhones. | MikeDotta/Shutterstock
Apple will start using post-industrial recycled rare earths in its iPhones, a company executive told Reuters.