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Category: News

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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URT opens a 198,000-square-foot plant in Texas

Published: December 7, 2022
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Inside URT's facility.

URT installed a new shredding and separation system at its newly occupied 198,000-square-foot facility in Fort Worth. | Courtesy of Universal Recycling Technologies (URT)

Universal Recycling Technologies has invested nearly $7 million in a processing facility that will greatly expand the company’s commodities recovery and electronics refurbishment capabilities. 

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E-scrap firm fined for battery fires

Published: December 7, 2022
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Closeup of a lithium-ion battery.

iDiskk principals Yue Zou and Lei Zhang agreed to pay a fine after the company improperly disposed of lithium-ion batteries from electronics. | XH2/Shutterstock

Improper disposal of lithium-ion batteries led to a $25,000 fine for a California recycling company after the batteries sparked several garbage truck fires. 

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AI robot grades, erases up to 55 phones an hour

Published: December 7, 2022
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Phonecheck's phone rating and erasing machine.

Phonecheck’s robotic system automates parts of the grading process, speeding it up significantly and eliminating subjectivity. | Courtesy of Phonecheck

A company that provides used phone history reports has formally launched a robot that automatically grades a device’s cosmetic condition, performs diagnostics and erases data.

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Our top stories from November 2022

Published: December 7, 2022
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Speakers at a panel at the 2022 E-Reuse Conference.

Insight from OEMs on their sustainability approaches was of interest to readers last month. | Dan Leif/Resource Recycling, Inc.

Readers in November were drawn to articles about how major OEMs approach sustainability, a CRT case settlement, an emerging blockchain-based ITAD trading tool and more.

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SERI looks to address smart device data challenges

Published: November 9, 2022
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Apple Watch on product box.

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. 

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Suit targets Closed Loop CRT suppliers in Arizona

Published: November 30, 2022
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Aerial view of Closed Loop Phoenix site.

Closed Loop began leasing the Phoenix facilities in 2010, and when it failed in early 2016, it left a combined 106 million pounds of CRT materials on both properties (59th Ave. property pictured). | Courtesy of Wood Environment & Infrastructure Solutions/ADEQ

Owners of Phoenix warehouses filed a federal lawsuit against e-scrap companies that shipped CRT materials to Closed Loop Refining and Recovery, and already two defendants have agreed to pay out roughly $1 million each. 

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Intel details precious metals, asset recovery initiatives

Published: November 30, 2022
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Intel sign outside of company building.

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. 

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