After extended service phases out in 2027-2028, retired laptops will help drive recovery of copper, aluminum and other metals. | Photo by Ivan Hafizov
These past few weekends, I found myself scrolling through Amazon’s refurbished‑laptop listings—a habit I use to gauge what’s moving through the secondary market. Page after page told the same story: hundreds of Dell Latitudes, HP EliteBooks and Lenovo ThinkPads advertised with the familiar Windows 10 Pro badge.
Following a report urging deeper scrutiny of e-scrap exporters, the organization previewed its full-year report to help improve confidence in the R2 process. | Ibrahim Alkan/Shutterstock
Ahead of the release of a full year-end report, SERI provided a preview of the outcomes from its Assurance activities in 2025.
Industry experts noted that policy initiatives and certification standards are propelling the sector forward despite loopholes and challenges. | Photo by Big Wave Productions
The opening plenary at the E-Scrap Conference in Grapevine, Texas set out five forces that are reshaping electronics recovery: rapid device change, battery risk, compliance pressure, policy updates and AI-driven data centers. Continue Reading
While legislators enact bans that aim to reduce vape waste, manufacturers are creating loopholes around the sale of disposable devices. | B.Robinson/Shutterstock
Editor’s Note: Diversion Dynamics is a monthly column exploring partnerships and policy that drive recycling.
I recently connected with Michael Duckworth, founder of Positive Energy Environmental Solutions, via video conference. Duckworth established the vape recycling company in 2023 after identifying a critical infrastructure gap for vape recycling in Nebraska and nationwide. Continue Reading
Many 2025 devices incorporate recycled metals and bio‑based finishes, but internal construction decisions such as soldered memory and layered adhesives still limit recoverability. | Eric Glenn/Shutterstock
As the latest generation of laptops reaches the desks of students and professionals, a closer look beneath the surface reveals a tension between sustainability aspirations and end‑of‑life reality.
A Basel Action Network study links US e-scrap brokers to large exports into Asia and urges regulators, auditors and lawmakers to close oversight gaps. | Nattanan726/Shutterstock
Nonprofit organization Basel Action Network released a report attributing surging US e-scrap exports to Southeast Asia to brokers posing as recyclers but acting mainly as shippers, a “hidden tsunami” the group says should trigger regulatory and certification reviews.
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Over the past two years, the face of sustainability and IT asset disposition finance has evolved dramatically. | Koy Hipster / Shutterstock
On Tuesday, October 28, the Plenary Session of E-Scrap Conference will address “How Mergers and Acquisitions are Reshaping the ITAD Sector.” The discussion will be timely and important because the ITAD and electronics recycling sectors are being propelled by a fast-expanding universe of active capital. Continue Reading
Regulations, AI and sustainability targets are shaping enterprise data disposition, but almost half of electronics are being destroyed when other options exist. | Merry Reveler / Shutterstock
Editor’s note: Learn more at the “Cybersecurity in ITAD: Insights from Law Enforcement, Insurance and Industry” panel during the 2025 E-Scrap Conference Oct. 27-29 in Grapevine, Texas.
Key Takeaways
Emerging compliance and sustainability requirements as well as the exponential growth of data generated by artificial intelligence are driving home the role of responsible data destruction, according to an executive from data-erasure firm Blancco.
Assurant bought OptoFidelity’s mobile device test automation portfolio to boost throughput, speed refurbishment and support reuse programs across its Device Care Centers. | Courtesy OptoFidelity
Assurant has expanded its automation toolkit with the acquisition of OptoFidelity’s mobile device testing portfolio, a move the company said will accelerate diagnostics and raise refurbishment capacity across its global Device Care Centers.
A memorandum of understanding between the two companies sets up the potential for long-term e-scrap supply and recovered metals offtake. | Photo courtesy Glencore Canada
The US subsidiary of Australia’s Metallium signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with metals and mining giant Glencore to explore a long-term agreement for e-scrap feedstock supply and recovered metals offtake.
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