Uncategorized Archives - Page 5 of 18

August 9, 2013 — Comments are off for this post.

e-Waste Recycling Laws in the United States and Stopping the Export of E-Waste by Utilizing e-Stewards Certified Recyclers

There is currently no federal legislation in the U.S. that mandates the recycling of e-waste. Some states in the U.S. allow businesses and individuals to throw their used electronics in the trash; however, many states are beginning to mandate environmental responsibility by banning the disposal of e-waste into landfills.

Colorado recently became the 18th state to ban e-waste from entering landfills and incinerators and several states are working to pass new laws and improve existing laws.

States that Banned e-waste from Landfills

View E-Waste Zero Landfill Laws in the United States in a larger map

While the states that have adopted e-waste regulations should be commended, there is still room for improvement. The EPA reports that 142,000 computers and more than 416,000 mobile devices are discarded every day. In 2010, only 27% of e-waste in the U.S. was recycled, with mobile devices being the least recycled item at 11%.

The Electronics Takeback Coalition reported ten ways we can improve our current legislation to increase collection volumes and address potential issues. These best practices are based on comparing states’ laws and their recycling results.

Make it convenient and establish collection goals
Encourage a variety of collection types
Include clear and high expectations for performance
Set minimum recycling goals, not goals that act as a ceiling
Make sure rural areas aren’t neglected
Include a landfill ban
Require all processors and refurbishers to be e-Stewards certified
Do not discourage legitimate reuse
Include a broad scope of products for free recycling
Transparency and reporting

It is recommended to choose an e-Stewards recycler because not all recyclers recycle e-waste in a legal and responsible manner. The e-Stewards certification makes it simple to identify recyclers that adhere to the highest global standards for environmental responsibility and worker protection.—————————————————————————————————

e-Cycle is the trusted wireless mobile buyback and recycling partner for many of the largest organizations in the world. As the first mobile recycling company to achieve e-Stewards certification, we adhere to the highest standards for environmental responsibility and worker health and safety. e-Cycle offers a simple, secure, environmentally responsible and profitable way for businesses to sell and recycle used mobile phones and tablets. Learn more at www.e-Cycle.com.

Published by mast in Uncategorized

Tags: e-Stewards, e-Waste, exporting e-waste, landfills, recycling laws

August 6, 2013 — Comments are off for this post.

Sell and Recycle Your Cell Phones and Tablets in August for the Chance to Win Our Endless Summer Giveaway

Summer doesn’t have to end so soon! e-Cycle is offering our clients the chance to extend their summer fun with our Endless Summer Getaway Giveaway. Any organization that sells or recycles wireless mobile devices with e-Cycle by August 31, will be entered into our random drawing to win a $500 American Airlines gift card.

Entering the giveaway is easy:

Request a no-obligation wireless buyback estimate for your mobile devices.
Fill out the official entry form and include it with the package of mobile devices to be purchased and/or recycled.
e-Cycle will email you a pre-paid shipping label* to ship your devices.
e-Cycle provides complimentary mobile phone and accessory recycling and industry-leading mobile data deletion.

Individuals can safely sell and recycle personal mobile devices by visiting e-Cycle’s user-friendly consumer buyback tool at www.e-Cycle.com.

* Some restrictions apply. Visit our Current Promotions page or contact e-Cycle to learn more.

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e-Cycle is the trusted wireless mobile buyback and recycling partner for many of the largest organizations in the world. As the first mobile recycling company to achieve e-Stewards certification, we adhere to the highest standards for environmental responsibility and worker health and safety. e-Cycle offers a simple, secure, environmentally responsible and profitable way for businesses to sell and recycle used mobile phones and tablets. Learn more at www.e-Cycle.com.

Published by mast in Uncategorized

Tags: e-cycle, electronic recycling, mobile buyback, mobile phone recycling, wireless buyback, wireless recycling

August 5, 2013 — Comments are off for this post.

e-Cycle’s Tips on How To Pack Cell Phones for Safe Handling When Shipping for Recycling

Ensure your package of cell phones and other electronics do not get damaged during shipping.

e-Cycle is a cell phone buyback and recycling company that provides free shipping as part of our wireless asset-recovery services. To ensure our clients understand the proper way to prepare cell phones, tablets and other wireless devices for mail delivery, we created the following video and helpful shipping tips to make certain our clients’ mobile devices are not damaged during delivery.

Do not pack more than 50 wireless devices per box. Boxes weighing over 40 pounds have an increased risk of damage during transit and create a safety issue for package handlers. This includes cell phones, tablets, phone chargers and other accessories.
Do not use a box larger than a copy paper box. Large boxes make it difficult for package handlers to maneuver and carry the electronics shipment, increasing the possibility of your package and mobile phones and tablets being damaged during shipping.
Use newspaper or other soft packing materials to protect your wireless devices. Surrounding your mobile devices with soft packing material creates a shock absorber in case your package is dropped or roughly handled during transit.
Tape all box seams and then tape cross-wise. Tapping seams will secure your box and keep it from ripping during transit.
Loose cell phone batteries must be individually wrapped or have covered terminals. A fire can occur if the terminals of loose batteries rub together and create a spark. For safety reasons, it is important to tape these terminals or put them in individual zip lock bags.

Following these five steps will keep your wireless devices and the confidential information they store secure during shipping. For more information on e-Cycle’s mobile recycling services and data security practices, visit e-Cycle.com.

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e-Cycle is the trusted wireless mobile buyback and recycling partner for many of the largest organizations in the world. As the first mobile recycling company to achieve e-Stewards certification, we adhere to the highest standards for environmental responsibility and worker health and safety. e-Cycle offers a simple, secure, environmentally responsible and profitable way for businesses to sell and recycle used mobile phones and tablets. Learn more at www.e-Cycle.com.

Published by mast in Uncategorized

Tags: data security, e-cycle, How to, mobile phones, Proper packaging, recycle, safe shipping, sell mobile phone

August 1, 2013 — Comments are off for this post.

Citi’s Wireless Recycling “Drop Off” Program Donates $63,175 to Three Charities Through the e-Cycle Foundation

e-Cycle is proud to announce that through the e-Cycle Foundation, Citi donated a total of $63,175 to three outstanding charities. The means to make such a generous donation was achieved solely through the mobile buyback revenue generated from Citi’s wireless recycling program.

Citi recycled more than 7,000 no-longer-used mobile devices with e-Cycle between May 1 and July 15. The benefiting charities were

The Floating Hospital received $13,175 to accomplish their ongoing mission of providing healthcare to homeless families. To date, they have assisted 5 million of NYC's most fragile families.

The Hunger Project: Mary Ellen McNish, President & CEO, Irene Blake, Citi Wireless Campaign Coordinator, E-Cycle: Craig Wolpert, Citi Rudolph Scott, Wireless Site Coordinator, and Robert Strangio, Citi NA Mobile Manage, E-Cycle: Bradford Gold

The Hunger Project empowers men and women around the world to end their own hunger and poverty. They received $25,000 to assist in these admirable efforts.

Wounded Warrior Project has also received $25,000 to enable them to further their reach in helping injured heroes and their brave families.

e-Cycle has assisted numerous businesses in making charitable donations from revenues generated through mobile buyback and recycling. The recent establishment of the e-Cycle Foundation provides both businesses and individuals a simple means to make a powerful impact in their local and global communities.

By recycling and reusing their wireless devices in this campaign alone, Citi prevented the contamination of up to 282,680,000 gallons of water; prevented the release of 4.52 pounds of lead into environment; reduced greenhouse gas emission equal to taking 0.20 cars off the road for a year and saved energy to power a laptop for 310,948 hours and provide 1.28 households with electricity for an entire year.

Now in its seventh year, Citi's "Wireless Drop-Off" is one of the ways they are working to promote environmental and social sustainability. To date, Citi has recycled more than 22,000 mobile devices through this program and donated $139,175 to various charitable organizations.

With ever increasing budget constraints, wireless reuse and recycling offers an innovative solution to enhance corporate-caring initiatives. The e-Cycle Foundation maximizes the money organizations raise through mobile asset recovery programs and writes a tax-deductible check on their behalf directly to the charities of their choice.

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e-Cycle is the trusted wireless mobile buyback and recycling partner for many of the largest organizations in the world. As the first mobile recycling company to achieve e-Stewards certification, we adhere to the highest standards for environmental responsibility and worker health and safety. e-Cycle offers a simple, secure, environmentally responsible and profitable way for businesses to sell and recycle used mobile phones and tablets. Learn more at www.e-Cycle.com.

Published by mast in Uncategorized

Tags: donate, mobile devices, recycled cell phones, The Floating Hospital, The Hunger Project, Wounded Warrior Project

July 30, 2013 — Comments are off for this post.

BAN and e-Cycle Urge Use of e-Stewards Recyclers After e-Waste Executive is Sent to Prison for Exportation of Hazardous Waste

Executive Recycling and its leadership were sentenced for their role in exporting e-waste overseas to developing countries. This is the first time anyone has been convicted for such a crime in the U.S.

The corporation was sentenced to pay a $4,500,000 fine and serve three years on probation.

Brandon Richter was sentenced to 30 months in federal prison, followed by three years on supervised release, in addition to a $7,500 fine and $70,144 in restitution.

Tor Olson, the former vice president of operations for the corporation, was sentenced to 14 months in prison with a $5,000 fine and ordered to pay more than $15,000 in restitution. Olson is currently free on bond pending appeal.

The prosecution argued that the company devised a scheme to defraud Colorado businesses and government entities. They deceived their customers by stating their electronics were being recycled responsibly and domestically within the United States. Prosecution alleged the company exported 300 containers between 2005 and 2008 to developing countries, containing a total of 100,000 CRTs.

Olson and CEO Brandon Ritcher were indicted in 2011 after their company become the centerpiece of the award winning 60 Minutes episode, The Electronic Wasteland, that used research from BAN to show 20 containers filled with e-waste leaving Executive's facility going to China and other developing countries.

BAN Executive Director, Jim Puckett, stated, “Sadly, the two Denver executives that made a fortune exploiting the environment and workers health in developing countries, represent just a sample of the US toxic e-waste flood flowing offshore. There are many hundreds of similar ‘charlatan recyclers’ operating in every US city every day – all of them pretending to protect the environment while simply filling up sea-going containers of your old TVs, printers, phones and computers.”

e-Stewards Certification

To provide consumers with an easy way to identify responsible recyclers, BAN created the e-Stewards® Certification program. e-Stewards recyclers and refurbishers refuse to export e-waste because they are conscious of the catastrophic harm to the environment and heath of locals that is can cause. They are audited yearly to demonstrate compliance to the rigorous e-Stewards Standard. e-Stewards recyclers This international treaty governing waste trade has been adopted by over 170 countries.

Electronic consumers should only make use of certified e-Stewards recyclers and not be deceived by the green promises of other certifications or claims purporting recycling responsibility.

Responsible Electronics Recycling Act

BAN is calling for support for the Responsible Electronics Recycling Act (RERA); which will prohibit the unsustainable export of toxic e-waste. According to BAN, without clear laws, prosecution is difficult. In Executive Recycling’s trial, prosecutors had to prove fraud because current environmental trade rules are rampant with loopholes. The RERA would rectify that and is already supported by many American recyclers, manufactures and retailers.

Consumers wishing to do the right thing with their e-waste, should do two simple things: a) only use e-Stewards certified recyclers or refurbishers; b) contact your congressman to support the RERA.

“Sooner or later everybody has e-waste,” said Puckett. “So everybody has the responsibility and opportunity to ensure that the recyclers they use are certified to the highest levels of integrity and environmental protection. At the same time, we can ask our representatives to support laws that ensure that the costs of toxic products are internalized by American businesses, and not simply dumped on foreign shores.”

Read the official BAN press release here.

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e-Cycle is the trusted wireless mobile buyback and recycling partner for many of the largest organizations in the world. As the first mobile recycling company to achieve e-Stewards certification, we adhere to the highest standards for environmental responsibility and worker health and safety. e-Cycle offers a simple, secure, environmentally responsible and profitable way for businesses to sell and recycle used mobile phones and tablets. Learn more at www.e-Cycle.com.

Published by mast in Uncategorized

Tags: e-waste laws, exportation of e-waste, mobile phones, recycle cell phones

July 30, 2013 — Comments are off for this post.

e-Cycle BYOD Mobile Data Security Tips #4 – Keep Mobile Device Software Up-to-Date

As a global leader in the mobile buyback and recycling industry, e-Cycle is pleased to share the fourth video in our series of BYOD mobile data security risks and recommendations for organizations thinking of implementing a Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) program. These tips will help to secure your sensitive mobile data on individually-owned wireless devices.

e-Cycle BYOD Mobile Data Security Tips - #4 Keep Mobile Device Software Up to Date from e-Cycle LLC. on Vimeo.

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e-Cycle is the trusted wireless mobile buyback and recycling partner for many of the largest organizations in the world. As the first mobile recycling company to achieve e-Stewards certification, we adhere to the highest standards for environmental responsibility and worker health and safety. e-Cycle offers a simple, secure, environmentally responsible and profitable way for businesses to sell and recycle used mobile phones and tablets. Learn more at www.e-Cycle.com.

Published by mast in Uncategorized

Tags: data protection, data security, Mobile security, wireless data protection

July 29, 2013 — Comments are off for this post.

Congratulations to e-Cycle Mobile Buyback and Recycling’s Summer Getaway Giveaway Winner

e-Cycle congratulates Adriana from New Jersey as the winner of a $500 gift card to the airline of their choice for participating in our June Summer Getaway Giveaway! Thank you to all of our clients for your commitment to protecting the environment and recycling your used mobile devices with e-Cycle.

There is still time to sell and recycle your organization’s mobile phones and tablets with e-Cycle for the chance to win our Summer Blockbuster Giveaway. Any organization that sells or recycles their devices with e-Cycle by July 31 is eligible for our random drawing to win one of five $100 MovieTickets.com gift cards.

Visit our Current Promotions page for official rules and to learn more about how to sell and recycle your wireless devices in July and win.

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e-Cycle is the trusted wireless mobile buyback and recycling partner for many of the largest organizations in the world. As the first mobile recycling company to achieve e-Stewards certification, we adhere to the highest standards for environmental responsibility and worker health and safety. e-Cycle offers a simple, secure, environmentally responsible and profitable way for businesses to sell and recycle used mobile phones and tablets. Learn more at www.e-Cycle.com.

Published by mast in Uncategorized

Tags: data protection, data security, e-cycle, mobile buyback, mobile phone recycling, recycle cell phone, sell business cell phones, sell your iphone, wireless buyback

July 29, 2013 — Comments are off for this post.

How to Recycle Your Used Computers, Mobile Phones and Other Electronics Safely and Avoid Using the Wrong Electronics Recycling Company

According to the United Nations, around 20 to 50 million tons of e-waste is generated worldwide each year and only a small fraction of that e-waste is properly recycled. Businesses must partner with a credible electronics recycler to ensure that their mobile and other electronics devices and the sensitive data stored inside are recycled properly. Partnering with the wrong electronics recycler can be extremely hazardous for the environment and business.

The Problem

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimates that 70 to 80 percent of recyclers in the U.S. either directly or indirectly export their e-waste into developing countries. The Basel Action Network (BAN) reports that more than 500 containers, each containing 10 to 15 tons of e-waste, enter Nigerian ports every month, amounting to 60,000 to 90,000 tons of e-waste each year. Exporting e-waste is devastating to both the health of the environment and the people in these countries.

Slave or child labor and unethical methods such as open-acid baths and open-air burning are often used to extract the valuable metals inside the devices and to dispose of e-waste. Mobile phones, tablets and computers contain toxic metals and chemicals such as lead, mercury, cadmium, beryllium and brominated flame retardants. These extraction methods cause substantial harm to the environment and the inhalation of the toxic fumes can cause significant health problems or even death for the locals in these e-waste farming communities.

According to a report released by the United Nations, criminal gangs behind the drug trade in West Africa are becoming involved with illegal e-waste trading. Many of the discarded electronics and mobile devices that end up in these dumping grounds have not been properly wiped of data. This leaves private information such as addresses, phone numbers and banking details to be easily harvested by criminals.

The Solution

It is imperative that businesses and individuals properly recycle their retired devices with a responsible electronics recycler. BAN, together with industry leaders, developed the e-Stewards certification program in an effort to eliminate the growing e-waste problem.

e-Stewards provides consumers, businesses and government agencies that dispose of their old electronic equipment an easy way to identify recycling companies that adhere to the highest standards of environmental responsibility, data security and worker protection. This globally recognized program is the only certification that strictly prohibits the export of toxic e-waste into developing countries and bans the use of child and prison labor. It also requires yearly audits to ensure that the high e-Stewards standards are continuously being met. Using e-Stewards certified recyclers will not only guarantee organizations protect the environment when recycling their electronics but also their sensitive company information.

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e-Cycle is the trusted wireless mobile buyback and recycling partner for many of the largest organizations in the world. As the first mobile recycling company to achieve e-Stewards certification, we adhere to the highest standards for environmental responsibility and worker health and safety. e-Cycle offers a simple, secure, environmentally responsible and profitable way for businesses to sell and recycle used mobile phones and tablets. Learn more at www.e-Cycle.com.

Published by mast in Uncategorized

Tags: e-Stewards, e-Waste, electronic recycling, mobile phone recycling

July 17, 2013 — Comments are off for this post.

e-Cycle Mobile Buyback and Recycling’s Founder and CEO, Chris Irion, featured for “Making the World a Better Place”

e-Cycle’s CEO and Founder, Chris Irion, was recently featured in a video that highlights several of the 2013 BlackBerry® Global Achievement Award recipients. e-Cycle was honored with a BlackBerry Achievement Award in the category of “Making the World a Better Place,” which showcases how the use of technology has made a positive impact on others.

The BlackBerry Achievement Awards recognize exceptional businesses, entrepreneurs and developers across the globe who push the boundaries of what’s possible with technological products and services. We are extremely honored to be recognized for providing innovative wireless asset-recovery and recycling solutions that are cost effective, secure and environmentally responsible.

e-Cycle was selected as a finalist for this recognition from among hundreds of businesses worldwide and was chosen as the winner after receiving the most votes in online ballot conducted by BlackBerry. Thank you again to our clients for their commitment to environmental protection and to the thousands of people who voted for e-Cycle online.

Published by mast in Uncategorized

Tags: e-cycle, mobile phones, recycle

July 17, 2013 — Comments are off for this post.

e-Cycle Update: Global E-waste is Ending up in Toxic Wastelands in China

A recent United Nations report revealed that approximately 70 percent of globally produced e-waste is being exported to China for disposal, making it the largest e-waste dumping site in the world.

Many of these products are originally manufactured in China and are finding their way back through illegal exportation from developed countries, even though the U.N. has a ban that strictly prohibits this practice.

Over the past decade Guiyu, a small town in southeastern China, has become a major hub for the disposal of e-waste. Here, hundreds of thousands of people dismantle the world's electronic junk in dangerous, primitive ways. The effects on the environment and the health of the local community are catastrophic.

Environmental Pollution

The U.N. report stated that the e-waste disposal industry has caused “environmental calamity” in Guiyu. Much of the toxic pollution is a direct result of burning the equipment and washing it with hydrochloric acid.

The washing technique is used to obtain valuable metals from devices. For example, approximately 35 thousand pounds of copper, 772 pounds of silver, 75 pounds of gold and 33 pounds of palladium can be recovered for every million cellphones recycled, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

The U.N. report showed that using the burning and washing methods releases hydrocarbon ashes into the air, water and soil, and it contaminates the environment with toxic heavy metals.

Health Hazards

While Guiyu locals downplay the potential damage their work has on their health, studies conducted by Shantou University Medical College have shown reasons for concern. Reports revealed that many children tested in Guiyu had higher than average levels of lead in their blood, which is known to stunt the development of the brain and central nervous system.

In addition, mercury can be released into the environment during the dismantling and disposal of electronic devices like mobile phones, TVs and computer monitors. Mercury can easily accumulate within the food chain, particularly fish, causing damage to the brain and kidneys.

What can you do?

To ensure your wireless devices and other electronic equipment are being recycled responsibly, be sure to only work with an e-Stewards certified recycler. The certification is recognized globally and e-Stewards recyclers and their downstream vendors are rigorously audited to ensure they adhere to the highest standards for responsible recycling and reuse of electronic equipment. e-Stewards is the only electronics recycler certification in the world that strictly prohibits the export of toxic e-waste into developing countries, includes industry-specific worker health and safety requirements and bans the use of child, slave and prison labor.

e-Cycle is the first wireless buyback and recycling company in the world to achieve e-Stewards certification. To learn more about responsible mobile phone and tablet recycling, contact us at www.e-Cycle.com.

Published by mast in Uncategorized

Tags: e-Stewards, e-Waste, electronic recycling, illegal exportation, R2, recycling, United Nations