Many recycling-related organizations have spoken out in the weeks following the May 25 death of George Floyd. | Anton27/Shutterstock
E-scrap processors, ITAD firms, OEMs and other recycling stakeholders are joining the call to oppose racism and work for systemic change.
Microsoft on June 4 sent an email to companies participating in its Registered Refurbisher Program notifying them the program will end later this year. | mardon 333/Shutterstock
Over 1,700 North American computer refurbishers will be affected when Microsoft consolidates its refurbisher programs this year. The tech giant pledged to continue providing software licenses to them, but questions about cost remain.
Samsung is among the OEMs offering free repairs for frontline health care workers. | sasirin pamai/Shutterstock
Phone manufacturers offer free repairs to frontline workers, and ventilator producers release resources helping third-party companies fix ventilators.
To participate in its Independent Repair Program, shops would be required to provide customer information to Apple. | Karol Ciesluk/Shutterstock
Documents obtained by Motherboard show just how onerous the requirements will be for repair shops wanting to participate in Apple’s new Independent Repair Program.
Free Geek Toronto received its first load of devices from Lanner this month. | New Africa/Shutterstock
A global OEM is working with a nonprofit recycling organization to get returned devices refurbished for reuse by individuals that otherwise wouldn’t have access to them.
In his apology, Sonos CEO Patrick Spence pledged the company would keep legacy products updated with bug fixes and security patches for as long as possible. | ClassyPictures/Shutterstock
The leader of electronics manufacturer Sonos apologized amid controversy over his company’s decision to end software updates for old smart speaker systems, assuring customers the devices won’t become obsolete.
In Olympia, Wash., right-to-repair proponents and opponents testified during a Jan. 21 hearing in front of the Senate Environment, Energy & Technology Committee. | jfergusonphotos/Shutterstock
Electronics repair stakeholders clashed over right-to-repair legislation in Washington state this week, as a number of state legislatures begin taking up similar bills.
U.S. smart speaker brand Sonos made recycling-related waves recently. | Vantage_DS/Shutterstock
From tiny startups to one of the world’s most valuable companies, electronics manufacturers have made reuse- and recycling-related headlines in recent weeks. The following is a handful of notable developments.
Since the program launched in April, it has refurbished 34,000 devices for resale back into the domestic market. | Courtesy of Skullcandy.
A manufacturer and a California processor are working together to process returned audio equipment for reuse and recycling.
Apple stated it does not act to “block” customers from choosing non-Apple-authorized repair shops. | Goran Bogicevic/Shutterstock
Apple, which is often criticized for adopting policies hampering independent repair, recently responded to questions from Congress on right-to-repair and other topics.