Regulators are looking at lithium-ion battery labeling requirements, but improper collection of the batteries is just one of their recycling challenges. | Allyson Kitts/Shutterstock
California officials are considering regulating lithium-ion battery labels, but an e-scrap processor says they’re missing a bigger issue: Battery-containing electronics are increasingly expensive to process.
Alex Cummings and Arun Karottu of ITAD firm SMR Worldwide. | Photos courtesy SMR Worldwide
With low values for e-scrap commodities, component harvesting can be a strategy for generating more revenue for both the client and processor. It’s a strategy our company, SMR Worldwide, uses when possible, as we have the ability to process a far broader variety of IT assets at a wider range of life cycle stages compared with competitors (SMR processes assets across 250-plus product categories, including 27,000-plus unique SKUs) in our SmartERP client portal.
ERI drop-off bins will be installed in select Amazon Hub Locker+ locations. | Photo from Amazon Secure Electronics Recycling Bins website
Amazon is contracting with nationwide processor ERI to provide free collection for certain electronics at Amazon pick-up locations in 10 cities.
Processor EPC expanded globally in a relatively short period of time using a partnership model. | Pushish Images/Shutterstock
ITAD firms are increasingly asked to provide international service for their customers, but that can be an expensive endeavor. A Midwest-based processor recently laid out the benefits of partnering with foreign service providers.
Federal funding will target e-scrap separation for metals and plastics recovery. | Jer123 / Shutterstock
A government-backed institute that has funded e-scrap recycling research in recent years is accepting applications for another round of grants.
Clover Wireless processes over 7 million devices annually. | Maxx-Studio/Shutterstock
Clover Wireless, which operates the largest mobile device repair center in North America, has acquired used device trading platform MaxBack.
Megan Tabb of Synergy speaks at the 2019 E-Scrap Conference and Trade Show. | Brian Adams Photography
At the E-Scrap Conference and Trade Show last month, Megan Tabb of North Carolina processor Synergy Electronics Recycling offered advice for companies looking to remain afloat in the challenging world of CRT management.
Right-to-repair legislation is advancing in Massachusetts. | zack2701/Shutterstock
Numerous repair stakeholders spoke at a lengthy hearing last week in Massachusetts, where lawmakers are considering legislation that requires manufacturers to provide repair resources to independent shops.
U.S. e-scrap processors and brokers say they’re currently able to move e-plastics. | Alexey Lesik/Shutterstock
Asia remains the destination for many plastics recovered from electronics. But as buyers relocate from China to other countries, prices are down and quality and volume are increasingly critical factors.
In Vancouver, Wash., Simon Metals operated a 55,000-square-foot end-of-life electronics processing facility. The facility is now owned by Metro Metals Northwest. | Jared Paben/E-Scrap News
A major Pacific Northwest e-scrap processor has been acquired, and a company manager anticipates the new owners will expand its electronics recycling capabilities.