Integrated Recycling Technologies

In observance of Earth Day, UScellular urged individuals to exchange or recycle their outdated electronic gadgets as part of efforts to diminish their ecological footprint. In 2023 alone, UScellular's trade-in program facilitated the exchange of 242,477 devices, diverting 109,110 pounds of electronic waste from landfills and preventing over 309 million gallons of water pollution. #r2certified #ewaste #ewasterecycling #erecycling #ITAD #circulareconomy

The Global E-waste Monitor 2024 report paints a stark picture of the urgent global issue of electronic waste (e-waste): a staggering 17.2 pounds per person of e-waste was generated worldwide in 2022. Shockingly, only 22.3% of this e-waste was formally collected and recycled, leaving a significant gap between e-waste generation and management that demands immediate attention. Leveraging the value of existing e-waste can save billions in material costs and significantly reduce product #carbonfootprint. Companies can view resource recovery from e-waste as a strategic business advantage in the transition to a circular economy. By closing the loop for their products, companies establish themselves as sustainability leaders and stand to gain from the growing e-waste management market. #sustainability #resourcerecovery #r2certified #ewaste #ewasterecycling #erecycling #ITAD #circulareconomy

Vapes and other disposable technologies, such as mini-fans and single-use headphones, contain valuable resources including lithium and other rare earth elements. These technologies are marketed as recyclable, but lack clear recycling instructions and incentives for consumers to return the valuable materials. Scientists have called for a global effort to reduce the contribution of disposable electronic technologies to international waste accumulation and environmental degradation. A new letter, published in Science, shares their perspectives. Laura Young of Albertay University and the University of Dundee states: “These small electric devices promote the casual disposability of precious Earth materials and the creation of excessive amounts of e-waste.” #r2certified #ewaste #ewasterecycling #erecycling #ITAD #circulareconomy

In a recent paper published in the Chemical Engineering Journal (CEJ), researchers from the KIST(Korea Institute of Science and Technology) announced that they have created a way to use textile materials to selectively recover high-purity gold from electrical and electronic waste containing different metals. Granular adsorbents can be challenging to manage underwater, leading to poor recovery rates and even secondary environmental contamination. However, materials that resemble fibers have great potential for industrial use because they are simple to manipulate underwater and can be woven into a variety of shapes. The developed fibrous adsorbent achieved a gold recovery efficiency close to 100% in a wide range of pH 1-4, including most waste liquids. Even after ten uses, the gold recovery rate remained 91%, indicating outstanding reusability. #r2certified #ewaste #ewasterecycling #erecycling #ITAD #circulareconomy

Samsung will extend its recycling and waste collection efforts to three more Latin American countries. During Earth Day, the company announced that it will run its waste collection program in 13 countries instead of 10. Through its extended efforts, Samsung's new goal for 2024 is to collect 25.7% more electronic waste than last year. The company also aims to reduce electronic waste through its Repara Contigo (Self-Repair) program, which went live in Latin America last year. In its recent announcement, Samsung confirmed it will further expand the Self-Repair program to cover all of Latin America by the end of 2024. It will also add more devices to the program, including the Galaxy S23 series, the Galaxy Z Flip 5, and the Galaxy Z Fold 5. #r2certified #ewaste #ewasterecycling #erecycling #ITAD #circulareconomy

Minnesota's electronic recycling bill, which aims to make electronics recycling free for all Minnesotans, has reportedly hit a wall. Several lawmakers and industry associations oppose adding a new tax that might be imposed on consumers. The bill aims to update and expand the state's 2007 electronic waste law — focused on televisions and computers — to apply to 100% of electronic waste in Minnesota. It would also make recycling free by adding a 3.2% retail fee when Minnesotans purchase things such as small home appliances, electronic toys and smart home devices. Many people want to recycle their electronics, but the costs are a barrier. #r2certified #ewaste #ewasterecycling #erecycling #ITAD #circulareconomy

The latest findings from the United Nations' Global E-waste Monitor 2024 shed light on a concerning trend: electronic waste is far outpacing recycling efforts, with a staggering fivefold difference. In 2022, 62 million metric tons of e-waste were generated globally, enough to fill 1.55 million 40-ton trucks circling the equator. However, only a fraction of this waste was properly collected and recycled, leaving behind $62 billion worth of valuable resources and worsening #pollution risks worldwide. The United Nations Institute for Training and Research issued a call to action for radical change. #r2certified #ewaste #ewasterecycling #erecycling #ITAD #circulareconomy

LG Electronics has committed to the Consumer Technology Circularity Initiative (CTCI), a voluntary industry program. As part of its broader sustainability strategy, LG is aiming to achieve a 95% waste recycling rate at production sites by 2030. This is alongside reducing, separating and strengthening the sorting of business site waste to operate a responsible resource recycling program for producers. The company’s target is to use a cumulative 600,000 tons of recycled plastics in its products by 2030. #r2certified #ewaste #ewasterecycling #erecycling #ITAD #circulareconomy

Robots in e-waste recycling have significantly impacted the industry by improving efficiency and precision, leading to increased recovery rates of valuable materials from electronic devices. In terms of health and safety and environmental impact, robots have reduced manual labor, and toxic material handling, minimizing the risks to human health and the environment. Robotics is expected to also make a great future impact by continued advancements in AI and machine learning, likely enhancing the capabilities of e-waste recycling systems. Innovations in robotic design and functionality will lead to more versatile and adaptable systems capable of handling the e-waste from advanced electronic devices. #robotics #r2certified #ewaste #ewasterecycling #erecycling #ITAD #circulareconomy

In its report published in November 2020, the Environmental Audit Committee shone a spotlight on the environmental impact of electronic items. Their manufacture from raw materials can cause huge human and environmental damage and releases significant carbon emissions, whilst electronic waste, when not properly treated, can release toxic chemicals that damage human and animal health. However, four years on from the government accepting or partly accepting recommendations from the EAC to tackle the “e-waste tsunami”, little progress has been made. #r2certified #ewaste #ewasterecycling #erecycling #ITAD #circulareconomy