Marissa 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].
The Canadian company will receive up to $13.5 million in state support through Empire State Development’s Excelsior Jobs Tax Credit Program, as long as it meets its job creation commitments. | Courtesy of Li-Cycle
Battery recycler Li-Cycle has secured $13.5 million in state tax credits for its Rochester, N.Y. black mass processing facility, currently under construction.
SERI is working to clarify its R2v3 standard on how to handle data on different kinds of smart devices. | Anastasia Desiana/Shutterstock
This story has been corrected.
It has long been acknowledged in the reuse world that some smart items, such as fitness trackers, are difficult to properly wipe personal data from. One organization is now taking steps to address the problem.
In 2021, Intel maintained a rate of 5% total material to landfill and put circular strategies in place for 65% of its manufacturing scrap. | jejim/Shutterstock
Intel is trying several angles in pursuit of its goal to send zero waste to landfill, including redesign of circuit boards for easier recycling and educating consumers on how to recycle via a video game.
Microsoft is also working to expand its authorized repair network by early 2023, for customers who do not want to attempt repairs themselves. | Chie Inoue/Shutterstock
A recent teardown analysis by iFixit found that Microsoft made progress on its repairability improvement promises with the Surface Pro 9.
The polishing system can save consumers money and resources by reducing the need to replace the screen or upgrade the device and can also help boost resale value, contributing to the circular economy. | Courtesy of Red Wolf Technology
A polishing system that removes the majority of nicks and scratches from Apple Watches can now support all models.
The consumer recycling program will allow people to drop off old devices and rechargeable batteries at select Audi dealerships. | Hrach Hovhannisyan/Shutterstock
Redwood Materials, a company founded on recycling lithium-ion batteries from electric vehicles, launched a consumer recycling program in partnership with Audi to capture more batteries.
The AIMPLAS-coordinated project sought to test the efficacy of several circular business models, including ecodesign, ecoleasing and improved waste management. | Courtesy of AIMPLAS
Four years of work on circular business models in the electronics sector wrapped up in mid-October, when the C-SERVEES Project gave its final report.
Working with the two laptop distribution nonprofits, AT&T will help provide a total of 26,000 computers to those in need as part of the company’s $2 billion commitment, announced in 2021, to address the digital divide. | GaudiLab/Shutterstock
AT&T recently contributed $10 million and employee time to help nonprofit processors bridge the digital divide.
Researchers evaluated 1,003 life cycle reports from various manufacturers to determine the amount of carbon dioxide emissions created during the life span of products. | Maxx-Studio/Shutterstock
To help cut growing greenhouse gas emissions from electronics, researchers are suggesting extending the life spans of devices.
Princeton NuEnergy on Oct. 25 opened a pilot direct lithium-ion battery recycling line in Texas. | Courtesy of Princeton NuEnergy
A Princeton University recycling startup, in partnership with Wistron, brought a pilot project on-line, and Cirba Solutions secured a federal grant for a new facility, moving domestic lithium-ion battery recycling forward.