Mail-in electronics recycling has become more common in the era of COVID-19 as in-person collection events are cancelled. | mdbildes/Shutterstock
The coronavirus pandemic has strained e-scrap collection, but that’s opening the door to an alternative recovery system that minimizes contact between people.
A Retrievr employee collects a laptop and textiles from a home in Pennsylvania. | Courtesy of Retrievr
Retrievr will begin collecting scrap electronics from the porches of Philadelphia homes, after city officials selected the company to participate in the pilot project.
In 2019, the Regulated Waste Division brought in 25% of TerraCycle US’s revenue. | Courtesy of TerraCycle.
TerraCycle’s division that handles a variety of regulated materials saw decreased revenue and profits last year, but a marketing push late in the year helped reverse the trend.
E-scrap programs in Texas have brought in 278.5 million pounds of computers and TVs combined since their inception. | Huguette Roe/Shutterstock
Over 12.5 million pounds of TVs and 6.8 million pounds of computer equipment were collected through Texas state e-scrap programs last year, according to a recent report.
Electronics recycling operations are adapting to the new normal in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. | Jared Paben/Resource Recycling, Inc.
E-scrap and ITAD processors nationwide are disinfecting surfaces, changing work stations, modifying the ways they take in material, and more. The goal is to limit employees’ potential contact with the coronavirus.
Best Buy on March 22 announced its retail stores would close to the public and temporarily suspend recycling activities. | LukeandKarla.Travel/Shutterstock
Citing concerns over COVID-19, a major retailer, the largest U.S. city and a handful of other electronics recycling collection channels have paused services.
EcoATM owns mobile device buy-back kiosks in thousands of retail locations around the country. | ZikG/Shutterstock
Used phone purchasing company ecoATM appears to be bouncing back and growing rapidly, after it suffered financial losses and laid off staff in earlier years.
The Nerivio uses electrical neuromodulation to provide pain relief for migraine sufferers.
California Electronic Asset Recovery has established a mail-in recycling program with an Israeli medical device manufacturer. A CEAR manager highlighted the potential of direct dealings with OEMs.
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.
TERRA provides a mail-in collection service that moves e-scrap to multiple processors around the U.S. | Joni Hanebutt/Shutterstock.com
A Nebraska e-scrap company has become the fourth processor to take part in an initiative from TERRA that now covers portions of 13 states.