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Policy Roundup: Batteries, right to repair are hot topics

Published: January 23, 2025
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A pile of iPhone lithium-ion batteries for recycling.

More than 20 bills concerning electronics recycling so far have been introduced in 14 states for the 2025 legislative session. | Parilov/Shutterstock

Legislators have been filing bills all month as the 2025 session starts up, and in the e-scrap realm, two main topics are again at the forefront: extended producer responsibility for batteries and the right to repair consumer electronics. 

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OECD nations announce individual Basel decisions

Published: January 23, 2025
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Discarded circuit boards gathered for recycling.

The 38 members of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development were required to report by Jan. 15 on how they’ll interpret the most recent Basel Convention amendment. | Sebastien Coell / ShutterStock

Countries within the OECD have announced how they’ll each enforce new Basel Convention rules. As was foreshadowed by their previous failure to agree on uniform enforcement among all members, there is a fair amount of variance by nation.

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CDC offers tips to avoid e-scrap mercury exposure

Published: January 16, 2025
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A site investigation found mercury vapor from lamp recycling throughout an Ohio facility, including administrative offices. | BOONJAEM/Shutterstock

A recent report from a U.S. occupational safety unit found significant levels of mercury vapor throughout an Ohio e-scrap and lamp recycling facility, leading the team to provide recommendations for protecting worker health. Continue Reading

Malaysia eyes improvements to e-scrap import procedures

Published: January 16, 2025
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Cargo containers stacked at a shipping terminal.

After allegations of illegal e-scrap imports, Malaysia’s Department of Environment announced it would improve standard operating procedures and oversight. | Mayday6510/Shutterstock

On the heels of high-profile illegal e-scrap import claims and updates to the Basel Convention, Malaysian officials said they would be tightening operating procedures.   Continue Reading

Ten e-scrap projects receive federal prize funds

Published: January 16, 2025
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Many of the awarded companies are exploring new ways of recovering rare earth magnets from end-of-life electronics. | stuphipps/Shutterstock

The Department of Energy’s aptly named E-SCRAP prize program has awarded funds to companies engaged in hard drive disassembly, rare earth magnet recovery, hydrometallurgy and e-plastics recycling. More companies are invited to apply this year. Continue Reading

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CES 2025 centers on AI and upcoming hardware needs

Published: January 9, 2025
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Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang delivered a keynote address to a packed crowd on the opening night of CES 2025, held this week in Las Vegas. | Photo courtesy of the Consumer Technology Association

Artificial intelligence and electric vehicles were major themes during the annual CES trade show this week, and panel discussions touched on the infrastructure – including hardware in data centers and battery recycling technology – that will be key to those segments’ growth. Continue Reading

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Equity firm acquires majority stake in Sprout

Published: January 9, 2025
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Closeup of an e-scrap motherboard.

The investment from equity firm Recognize comes after a decade of growth for Sprout. | DimiSotirov/Shutterstock

IT asset disposition company Sprout has received a majority investment from a New York City-based private equity firm, which predicts rising demand for ITAD services in the years to come. Continue Reading

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Shredder choice depends on material requirements

Published: January 9, 2025
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A crucial early step after deciding to incorporate a shredder is to determine what materials a company wants to shred. | Big Wave Productions/Resource Recycling

Evolving technology in electronics shredding can help make value recovery more efficient and profitable, but there are several considerations companies must factor in before investing in new equipment, panelists said at the recent E-Scrap Conference. Continue Reading

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Industry preps for Basel rules as Canada exempts US trade

Published: December 19, 2024
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Gold on a scrap circuit board.

Updates to the Basel Convention, an international treaty regulating the trade of various types of end-of-life materials, will come into effect Jan. 1. | Don Bendickson/Shutterstock

With just weeks to go before new e-scrap trading regulations take effect worldwide, companies are feeling cautiously optimistic that trade disruption will be softer than it could have been.  Continue Reading

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