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.
DSNY’s curbside e-scrap collection is now available to all residents in the Bronx. | Felix Mizioznikov/Shutterstock
New York City’s curbside e-scrap program has grown to serve additional areas of the nation’s largest metropolis.
Grant money will be used to fund drop-off locations and collection events. | Bennian/Shutterstock
The state of Michigan awarded $270,000 in grants to support electronics recycling in sparsely populated areas.
Grant money will fund a portable hard drive shredder for Comprenew’s U.P. location in Marquette, Mich. | Courtesy of Comprenew.
The state of Michigan will help fund the expansion of e-scrap collections in the Upper Peninsula, a broad area where dumping of used electronics has been a problem.
A device buy-back company has installed self-service stations at more than a dozen New York City locations.