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Basel regulations unite BAN and SERI in collaboration

Published: July 18, 2024
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Cargo containers stacked at a shipping terminal.

Basel Action Network and Sustainable Electronics Recycling International have put aside their long-standing differences to help U.S. members comply with the Basel Convention. | Mayday6510/Shutterstock

Upcoming changes to the Basel Convention are likely to disrupt some industry practices when they take effect next year. But the changes have already had one remarkable impact: They’ve brought together two often rival certification organizations to advocate for industry-wide compliance with the new rules. Continue Reading

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OEM invests in rare earth recycler Cyclic Materials

Published: July 18, 2024
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Canadian rare earth recycler Cyclic Materials got a boost from Microsoft’s Climate Innovation Fund. | Joaquin Corbalan P/Shutterstock

Cyclic Materials received an investment from Microsoft’s Climate Innovation Fund to accelerate the company’s technology for recovering rare earth metals from hard drives. Continue Reading

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UN: E-commerce growth drives e-scrap volumes

Published: July 18, 2024
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A pile of mixed e-scrap material.

The UN Conference on Trade and Development said in its Digital Economy Report that developing nations shoulder a disproportionate share of the environmental impact from global digitalization. | KPixMining/Shutterstock

People living in developed countries generate more than 20 times as much e-scrap as their counterparts in developing countries, according to the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development’s recently released 2024 Digital Economy Report.  Continue Reading

Bilingual workforce training program assists e-scrap sector

Published: July 11, 2024
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A $380,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Energy’s Advanced Materials and Manufacturing Technologies Office will help REMADE and partners create online workforce training in English and Spanish for a variety of e-scrap recycling roles. | PeopleImages.com – Yuri A/Shutterstock

The REMADE Institute got a federal financial boost to develop online e-scrap workforce training in multiple languages, targeting roles that don’t require four-year college degrees. Continue Reading

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Feds fund consumer-facing battery collection

Published: July 11, 2024
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Li-ion batteries collected for recycling

The two nationwide projects will collect household batteries and help improve access to recycling programs in underserved communities. | Vietnam Stock Photos/Shutterstock

Two battery recycling projects will add drop-off locations at hundreds of Staples and Batteries Plus across the country thanks to U.S. Department of Energy funds, the agency announced this week. Continue Reading

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Watchdog group launches whistleblower platform

Published: July 11, 2024
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laptop user

Whistleblowers are invited to report a variety of poor recycling practices in the e-scrap industry. | GaudiLab/Shutterstock

The Basel Action Network this week rolled out a confidential reporting website seeking to make it easier for observers to report poor e-scrap management practices, such as questionable exports of devices and e-plastics, data security lapses and problematic storage or disposal. Continue Reading

How electronics legislation fared this legislative season

Published: July 3, 2024
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A worker repairs a mobile device.

There were more than 20 right-to-repair bills introduced this year. So far, 11 have failed, eight are still active and three passed. | Prostock Studio/Shutterstock

Legislative sessions are winding down for the summer. Some bills covering electronics and batteries made it across the finish line this year, while others stalled out. Here’s a roundup of what happened.  Continue Reading

Stakeholders comment on CalRecycle director pick

Published: May 16, 2024
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California flag and U.S. flag with blue sky background.

Coming from inside the ranks of the state agency, Zoe Heller was appointed director of the California Department of Resources, Recycling and Recovery. | Rarrarorro/Shutterstock

California’s sizable waste reduction and recycling agency has a new leader in Zoe Heller, who was recently appointed director of the California Department of Resources, Recycling and Recovery. Industry leaders praised her integrity, thoughtfulness and collaboration skills. Continue Reading