eCycling
With the pace of innovation far outpacing a device’s lifespan, the consumer technology industry has been working to shift a linear model of make-use-throw into a more circular one. Enter reuse where devices get second and third lives, followed by, or as it’s called for electronics, eCycling. At CTA, we have been working to expand recycling for consumer electronics on multiple fronts for many years, including sponsoring GreenerGadgets.org, a digital resource guide with a zip-code locator for consumers to find nearby places to recycle electronics safely. We also support The Recycling Partnership, focused on improving consumer recycling efforts throughout the U.S.
Samsung
Today, Samsung’s waste reclamation program operates in 54 countries. The program collects steel, aluminum, copper and plastics, with recovered plastics to be reused in manufacturing new devices. Since 2009, 3.5 million tons of plastic e-waste has been taken back and recycled globally. Samsung’s goal: to collect and recycle 7.5 million tons by 2030.
Apple
Apple, which has elevated its trade-in program significantly in recent years, has found success with incentivizing consumers to trade in their devices. As a result, in 2018, Apple refurbished more than 7.8 million devices and recycled 48,000 metric tons of e-waste. And Apple’s disassembly robot, “Daisy,” can even recover 32kg of rare earth elements for every 100,000 iPhones.
Best Buy
Retailer Best Buy also stepped up its takeback efforts in 2019. Geek Squad Agents and In-Home Advisors who make house calls to provide consultations and other tech-support services now offer to take items with them to be recycled. They take cables and cords, Wi-Fi gear, audio equipment and other items that don’t contain personal data. Consumers can still continue to recycle electronics like phones, laptops, tablets and more for free at Best Buy stores. Through these efforts, Best Buy has helped customers recycle over 2 billion pounds of electronics and appliances since 2009.
AT&T & Verizon
As for telecommunications giant AT&T, since 2007, the company has refurbished or recycled 175 million devices, including STBs, broadband equipment and mobile devices. The company’s goal: to reach 200 million devices collected by the end of 2020. And Verizon is focusing its outreach to engage with customers and the community on recycling. In 2018, Verizon held 53 community recycling rallies, collecting more than half a million pounds of recyclable material. Since 2009, these events have collected 3.7 million pounds of e-waste in communities. Through its own internal efforts, the company recycled 89.5 million pounds of end-of-life materials in 2018.
Cisco
Tech and software maker Cisco’s trade-in and recycling programs are designed to bring back the products sold to channel partners and end users. Of products sent to e-scrap recyclers, nearly 100% are recycled, and all commodity fractions go to downstream recyclers to be made into new products. During 2018, Cisco refurbished, resold, reused or recycled 13,946 metric tonnes of products returned, an increase of almost 20% from the previous year.
Toshiba
Toshiba America Business Solutions recycled more than 229 metric tons of e-waste – stemming from used toner products – in 2018. The total marks the highest amount of e-waste the company has recycled in a calendar year. Since partnering with internationally recognized recycler Close the Loop in 2008, Toshiba has prevented more than 1,229 metric tons of e-waste from hitting landfills. Through Toshiba’s ecoSmart Toner Recycling program, the company’s spent imaging products are transformed into reusable material via a zero-thermal recovery process. These components are often incorporated into future products, thereby contributing to the circular economy.
