Back Market and iFixit announced a broad partnership that will see each integrate the other’s product offerings, as well as direct advocacy on right-to-repair legislation. | Courtesy of Back Market
Two big names in the electronics repair and refurbishment space are partnering up to influence consumer and manufacturer behavior and create a world where circularity is the default. Continue Reading
Smartphones and laptops are exempt from U.S. tariffs targeting Chinese imports, but other goods are currently subject to 145% in duties. | Metamorworks/Shutterstock
Country-specific reciprocal tariffs have been pushed out until July, but a universal base rate tariff rolled out last week, which covers all countries, and earlier metals tariffs remain in effect. Meanwhile, an all-out trade war between the U.S. and China is intensifying. Continue Reading
China dominates the global production of rare earth elements, and the U.S. wants to find ways to change that. | RHJ Photo and Illustration/Shutterstock
The White House this week issued an executive order directing the Department of Commerce to explore the effects of critical mineral imports on national security. Among other points, it calls for the agency to explore policies boosting recycling of minerals like cobalt, nickel, aluminum and palladium, as well as the 17 rare earth elements. Continue Reading
CEAR in 2024 processed 12 million pounds of electronics at its electronics recycling facility in the Sacramento area. | Photo courtesy CEAR
Longtime e-scrap and IT asset disposition firm CEAR has received an investment from a Texas-based capital firm, priming the ITAD operation for future growth. Continue Reading
Li-Cycle announced that without additional funding, it will not be able to continue operations or draw down its federal loan. | T. Schneider/Shutterstock
Facing continuing losses year over year, lithium-ion battery processor Li-Cycle voiced concern in recent SEC filings about its ability to “achieve or sustain profitability” and repay its debts, as it has for several years. Continue Reading
Although on-again, off-again tariffs may exclude resin shipments, market players are seeing no shortage of confusion and consternation. | Avigator Thailand/Shutterstock
After many weeks of shifting narratives and uncertainty, participants in recycled polymer markets are working to navigate a constantly shifting tariff environment, in which buyers and sellers as well as customs officials struggle to align federal mandates with on-the-ground implementation. Continue Reading
The ESG calculator will be co-branded as an e-Stewards and Bloom ESG tool. | SWKStock/Shutterstock
E-scrap certification program e-Stewards endorsed an environmental benefits calculator from Bloom ESG, a London-based advisory firm, that can be used to quantify avoided carbon emissions and other benefits of e-scrap recycling and reuse. Continue Reading
Com2 is shredding and sorting e-plastics at its Carol Stream plant in Illinois. | Photo courtesy Com2 Recycling Solutions
North American e-scrap processor Com2 began processing e-plastics in-house at the beginning of the year after global regulations on material movement challenged longstanding export pathways. Continue Reading
Camston Wrather owes creditors more than $100 million, according to the bankruptcy trustee. | Photo Lab/Shutterstock
The trustee overseeing circuit board processor Camston Wrather’s bankruptcy has asked the court to dismiss the case altogether, saying that no buyers are interested in a full-facility sale, cash reserves are drying up fast, and parting it out for specific equipment sales will not provide meaningful recovery for creditors. Continue Reading
Electronics recycling facility fires have fluctuated widely over the years, but 2024 brought a new high, according to one tally. | PK Studio/Shutterstock
There were 14 publicly reported fires at North American electronics recycling facilities in 2024, representing a 56% increase over the prior year, according to an annual review by fire detection equipment supplier Fire Rover. It’s the highest yearly figure since the company began tracking fire statistics. Continue Reading