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Author Archives: Marissa Heffernan

About Marissa Heffernan

Marissa HeffernanMarissa Heffernan started working for Resource Recycling in January 2022 after spending several years as a reporter at a daily newspaper in Southwest Washington. After developing a special focus on recycling policy, they are also the editor of the monthly newsletter Policy Now. Heffernan can be contacted at [email protected].

Wisconsin prepares for E-Cycle rulemaking

Published: March 13, 2025
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Various e-scrap gathered for recycling.

The state program has been running since 2010 and covers TVs, computers, monitors, printers and video game consoles. 2023 legislative changes altered the way targets are set and added peripherals to the program. | Ermess/Shutterstock

Wisconsin’s Department of Natural Resources is preparing for rulemaking on its state e-scrap recycling program in response to legislative changes last year.  Continue Reading

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New EPEAT criteria set to take effect in November

Published: March 6, 2025
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The updated Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool program criteria focuses on environmental and human rights requirements, such as transparent supply chains. | Chayanuphol/Shutterstock

The Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool program rolled out new criteria for sustainable electronics, increasing focus on environmental and human rights requirements.  Continue Reading

Authors correct error in black plastic additive report

Published: February 27, 2025
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A highly publicized study on the presence of flame retardants in black plastic household products contained a calculator error, the authors announced. | Jared Paben/Resource Recycling

Last year, a study suggested that household products containing plastic possibly recovered from electronics had high levels of flame retardants – but the authors issued a correction to the work after finding a miscalculation. Continue Reading

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Right-to-repair scorecard shows improvements for cell phones

Published: February 27, 2025
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U.S. Public Interest Research Group released its annual ranking of device repairability. | Rabanser/Shutterstock

In this year’s “Failing the Fix” scorecard, the U.S. Public Interest Research Group said cell phones overall are getting more repairable, while laptops have stagnated. Continue Reading

PlanITROI moves to bigger facility, automates lines

Published: February 20, 2025
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PlanITROI CEO Paul Baum speaks during an event celebrating the opening of the company’s newest facility this week. | Photo courtesy PlanITROI

This story has been corrected.

Training, technology and teamwork are the watchwords at ITAD company PlanITROI’s new $9 million facility.  Continue Reading

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Automating flat panel display disassembly

Published: February 20, 2025
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RoboLoop is a venture from Matt Travers, a senior systems scientist at Carnegie Mellon University, Ned Eldridge, CEO and founder of eLoop, and Scott Thayer, CEO and founder of Automap. | Courtesy of RoboLoop

A startup company is applying expertise from eLoop, Carnegie Mellon University and a past Apple partnership to speed up disassembly of flat-panel displays.  Continue Reading

Cascade, Sage plan to merge

Published: February 13, 2025
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Wisconsin-based Cascade Asset Management and Ohio-based Sage Sustainable Electronics are planning to merge, an ITAD sector milestone. | Damrong Rattanapong

Cascade Asset Management and Sage Sustainable Electronics are planning to merge, with company leaders saying more details will be released in the future.  Continue Reading

Plastics processor debuts PS, ABS resins from e-plastics

Published: February 6, 2025
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Plastic Recycling, Inc. has invested a total of $17 million of dollars into extrusion lines and labs to create recycled ABS and PS compounds from e-plastics. | Courtesy of Plastic Recycling Inc.

Midwest-based Plastic Recycling, Inc. is looking to provide compounds for OEMs and automotive manufacturers that fit a wide range of specifications and just happen to be made from e-scrap.  Continue Reading

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Right-to-repair momentum continues in 2025

Published: February 6, 2025
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Looking across all product categories, right-to-repair legislation has been introduced in 49 out of 50 states in the past few years. | maxfrost/Shutterstock

The momentum behind consumer electronics right-to-repair bills that has been building since 2021 doesn’t seem to be ebbing, with 10 bills introduced so far this year and supporters anticipating far more to come. 

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