The Open Markets Institute recently called on the federal government to ensure consumers have the parts, tools, information and software necessary to repair their products. | Diana Memetova/Shutterstock
A Washington, D.C.-based think tank has joined stakeholders calling for regulators to use antitrust powers to bolster the independent electronics repair industry.
A leader at Sagent explained that the company has seen increased demand for its refurbished IT equipment because of a surge in network activity. | hxdbzxy/Shutterstock
A company involved in data center and wireless provider decommissioning foresees a “new normal” of higher internet traffic after the pandemic ends. That means more equipment in these facilities and more opportunity in retiring those assets.
A recent report suggests that moves toward refurbishment and reuse in the data center sector could reduce greenhouse gas impacts by as much as 24% or more. | Maximumm/Shutterstock
ITAD service providers are increasingly communicating the carbon impact of refurbishing electronics, recent announcements indicate.
Back Market’s online platform currently hosts about 1,000 sellers, all of whom go through a rigorous evaluation process before being allowed to list items for sell to the public. | Neirfy/Shutterstock
Refurbished device marketplace Back Market has added several major financial backers who are funding the company with $120 million.
Donated iPads will help health care workers, patients and families stay connected. | Andrei_R/Shutterstock
Processors across the country are donating refurbished electronics to aid in the COVID-19 response. Companies are providing devices to hospitals, first responders, students and others.
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.
Wisetek is assembling ventilators at its facility in Cork, Ireland. | Patrik Slezak/Shutterstock
An Irish electronics recycling firm has converted its refurbishing line to focus on assembling ventilators. Meanwhile, the medical devices are drawing focus among right-to-repair advocates.
Market research firm Gartner noted that in the first quarter of 2020 shipments of new PCs around the world declined by 12.3% year over year. | N.Z.Photography/Shutterstock
The coronavirus pandemic has disrupted worldwide supply and demand for new PCs, bringing both bad and good news for computer recyclers and refurbishers, according to Gartner.
Repair resource company iFixit has launched an effort to crowdsource repair information for key medical devices. | egyjanek/Shutterstock
Usually busy helping people fix their consumer gadgets, iFixit has turned its attention to the emerging need to maintain and repair hospital equipment.
ITAD company EPC reported a sharp increase in demand for notebook, tablet and desktop PCs throughout the U.S. and Canada as the need to work from home grows. | Sally B/Shutterstock
Processors across the U.S. say the coronavirus and resulting work-from-home orders have energized the market for refurbished electronics. In some cases, they can’t keep up with the needs of customers.