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.
E-Scrap News magazine is the premier trade journal for electronics recycling and refurbishment experts. It offers updates on the latest equipment and technology, details trends in electronics recycling legislation, highlights the work of innovative processors, and covers all the other critical industry news.
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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.
The companies below have either achieved or renewed one or more of the following NAID AAA certifications: physical destruction of hard drives, physical destruction of solid state devices, over-writing of physical hard drives, over-writing of solid state devices or degaussing.
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.
The companies below have either achieved or renewed one or more of the following NAID AAA certifications: physical destruction of hard drives, physical destruction of solid state devices, over-writing of physical hard drives, over-writing of solid state devices or degaussing.
Australian Destruction Services of Queansbeyan, Australia; Garner Products of Roseville, Calif.; Li Tong Group of Fo Tan, Hong Kong; and Time Shred Services of Hillside, N.J.
In addition, Advanced Technology Recycling (ATR) of Las Vegas has achieved R2:2013, ISO:14001 and OHSAS:18001 certifications; and Spectrum Ecycle Solutions of St. Louis has renewed its R2:2013 certification.
Visit our archive to view previous editions of the scorecard.
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.
Megan Tabb of Synergy speaks at the 2019 E-Scrap Conference and Trade Show. | Brian Adams Photography
At the E-Scrap Conference and Trade Show last month, Megan Tabb of North Carolina processor Synergy Electronics Recycling offered advice for companies looking to remain afloat in the challenging world of CRT management.
Baltic Control has approval to inspect a variety of U.S. shipments to China | stockstudio/Shutterstock
U.S. exporters of metals to China have a new option for pre-shipment inspections, which are required for all scrap exports to the Asian country.
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.
Total Reclaim’s staff has been cut in half in recent years as the company dealt with fallout from an export scandal.
A West Coast processor that earlier this year saw its founders sentenced to prison is now being led by Bobby Farris, who has worked for a variety of recycling companies. He says the firm’s brand can be rebuilt. Continue Reading
The companies below have either achieved or renewed one or more of the following NAID AAA certifications: physical destruction of hard drives, physical destruction of solid state devices, over-writing of physical hard drives, over-writing of solid state devices or degaussing.
Adelante Document Destruction of Albuquerque, N.M.; Data Guardian of Portage, Mich.; Green Chip of Astoria, N.Y.; Iron Mountain of Dandenong South, Australia; PCdisposal.com of New Century, Kan. and Universal Recycling Technologies (URT) of Janesville, Wis.
Visit our archive to view previous editions of the scorecard.
The bankruptcy filing indicates Rivore Metals has between $1 million and $10 million in liabilities and less than $50,000 in assets. | Nuangthong/Shutterstock
A metals recycling company that buys and sells e-scrap recently declared bankruptcy and is reorganizing its business to remain operational.
Two key figures in the multi-million dollar Closed Loop Refining and Recovery lawsuit spoke at this year’s E-Scrap Conference about liability for CRT cleanups. And while they differed on a few central points, they agreed that OEMs should share in the responsibility.
Discarded electronics are estimated to reach 122 million short tons per year around the globe by 2050. | Petra Nowack/Shutterstock
A United Nations-backed study predicts massive growth in global tonnages of end-of-life electronics, and it examines how the recycling sector can best prepare.
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.
Last week’s E-Scrap Conference and Trade Show brought hundreds of electronics recycling professionals to Orlando, Fla. for three days of learning and deal-making. Here are images our photographer captured at the event. Continue Reading
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.
News about a CRT stockpile cleanup plan drew attention last month. | Courtesy of Kentucky Division of Waste Management.
Analysis about federal purchasing, mergers and acquisitions, and a Kentucky CRT cleanup drew readers’ attention last month.
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.