Past iterations of SEERA would allow exports of tested and functional devices as well as some separated commodities destined for recycling. | lazyllama / Shutterstock
National legislators have reintroduced a bill that would restrict the export of certain end-of-life devices. A coalition of electronics recycling stakeholders voiced support for the proposal.
At the recent ISRI2021 online conference, an EPA official touched on environmental justice issues that affect waste and recycling facilities. | Surapol USanakul / Shutterstock
The U.S. EPA’s top environmental justice official has a message for recycling operators: Don’t wait for a conflict to arise to start engaging with the community that surrounds you.
Through a grant program, wireless trackers have been shipped out to R2-certified facilities on a rolling basis since December 2019. | MyCreative / Shutterstock
R2-certified electronics recycling and reuse companies across North America are following the movement of material using technology provided through a SERI grant initiative.
NERC’s Next Generation Scholarship Fund is just one of multiple conversations the group is having on the topic of diversity, equity and inclusion. | Lightspring/Shutterstock
Leaders at the Northeast Recycling Council recently explained how they’ll use a new scholarship fund to help boost racial diversity in the next generation of recycling industry professionals.
The Circular Electronics Partnership is being facilitated by a handful of organizations, including the Global Electronics Council and the World Economic Forum. | Iryna Imago/Shutterstock
Dell, Glencore, Microsoft and Sims are among the founding collaborators of the Circular Electronics Partnership, a new initiative focused on boosting recovery and reuse of electronics.
Businesses of all sizes have put increased focus on workforce diversity during the past year. | Zivica Kerkez/Shutterstock
Electronics recycling leaders say a focus on representation as well as changes in corporate hiring and promotion practices can lead to a more diverse industry, in terms of both gender and race.
Bronte and Dominique, two consumers who in “Silicon Mountain” are tasked with trying to replace the batteries in their smartphones.
With export scandals, CRT stockpiles and more, the electronics recycling industry has suffered its share of image bruises. A short film being launched by an ERP vendor, however, casts a far more pleasant glow on the business of electronics recovery.
The U.N. report also notes that the number of countries with national e-scrap policies, legislation or regulations increased from 61 in 2014 to 78 in 2019. | sasirin pamai/Shutterstock
A United Nations report estimates that 17.4% of e-scrap generated globally was recycled in 2019, well short of a goal of 30% by 2023.
The Basel Action Network estimates that since the EarthEye program started over a dozen customers have used the trackers. | Aunging/Shutterstock
Samsung is deploying 40 GPS trackers a year to follow the downstream movement of scrap electronics. Processors, including Kuusakoski, have used the devices to track the movement of recovered commodities.
A recent study found thermal events occurring at all stages of the WEEE collection and processing chain. | nongningstudio/Shutterstock
A new report notes more and more fires are breaking out in electronics collection and processing facilities around the world, and experts say damaged batteries are typically the culprit.