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].
Hawaiian legislators passed an update to the state’s electronics EPR program, making manufacturer recycling targets weight-based instead of calculated by market share. | Jeff Whyte/Shutterstock
Hawaii had to suspend free e-scrap collection in the state earlier this year after the program ran out of funds early, but the state legislature has passed a law to address the problem.
Draft European regulations propose that mobile devices should include scratch resistance, protection from dust and water, resistance to accidental drops, battery longevity and the capacity to be disassembled and repaired. | ETgohome/Shutterstock
The European Commission is requesting feedback on draft regulations for designing mobile phones and tablets to be more environmentally friendly, including the issue of recyclability.
Apple plans to appeal a Brazillian Justice Ministry’s decision to fine the company for not including power chargers with iPhones sold in the country. | dan.nikonov/Shutterstock
In response to Apple’s decision not to include chargers with newly purchased phones by default, Brazil again fined the company and then banned the sale of iPhones if they do not include a power adapter.
Nokia has launched a subscription service that incentivizes people to keep their phones for longer using a range of rewards. | OleksSH/Shutterstock
Nokia is adding more recycled material to some of its devices and urging customers to use its Circular subscription service to hold on to phones longer.
The upcoming TES Las Vegas facility will cover 40,000 square feet and is slated to open in January 2023. | Courtesy of TES
TES has plans to open a Las Vegas operation at the start of 2023, with the aim of being closer to its West Coast clients.
Jewelry makers are trying to source enough material to keep up with demand for recycled metal in their products. | corollas/Shutterstock
Jewelry made from recycled gold and silver is becoming more popular, especially among younger consumers.
Interpol researchers aimed to discover whether organized pollution crime is a global or localized phenomenon. | Poetra.RH/Shutterstock
A report from Interpol aimed to fill in gaps in knowledge on the link between pollution crime and organized crime, digging into 27 pollution crime case studies that averaged profits of $19.6 million per case for those involved, including electronics falsely labeled as ready for resale.
Researchers found unique interactions between graphene and gold ions yield exceptional selectivity in extraction from e-scrap. | Dominic Warren/Shutterstock
A cutting-edge method of recovering gold from solutions works without energy inputs, lab testing found.
A large fire erupted this month at a building used for battery recycling by Interco Trading in Illinois. | Courtesy of Madison County, Ill. Emergency Management Agency
A fire at e-scrap recycler Interco Trading on Aug. 10 drew more than 200 firefighters, injured one worker and triggered shelter-in-place warnings for nearby residents.
An e-scrap processing firm is under investigation for allegedly purchasing stolen catalytic converters. | Courtesy of Fremont Police Department
Arrow Recovery is under investigation by local police for buying large quantities of black market catalytic converters, despite some having “stolen” etched onto them by undercover officers.