Recap of major E-scrap developments in 2014

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): The year gone by has been a busy one as far as activities in E-scrap sector is concerned.

Firstly, the much debated Responsible Electronics Recycling Act (RERA) was put on ice following Congressman John Shimkus’ declaration that RERA was not in the agenda of the Environment and Economy subcommittee of the House, headed by him. He further stated that the export statistics does not imply that the proposed bill that limits e-scrap exports out of the US should be taken up in a hurry. The statement was welcomed by the Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries (ISRI) amid protests by the Coalition for American Electronics Recycling.

E-scrap giant Sims Recycling Solutions announced that 12 of its 14 North American facilities had become dual-certified to the e-Stewards and R2 standards. Research conducted later indicated that almost 70% of e-Stewards certified firms also held R2 certification.

The "Recycling and Reuse Study, 2014 Edition" released by Arlington-based Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) suggested increased support to electronics recycling from US consumers. It said that electronics recycling has almost doubled in the past three years. 59% of the survey participants were aware about locations where consumer electronics can be properly recycled. The telephonic survey conducted by the Association revealed that roughly 3.5 million tons of CRT TVs and computer monitors are still found dumped in American households.

State officials indicated that the warehouse of the closed Denver based Luminous Recycling was found holding nearly 8,000 tons of CRT glass, lying in extremely dusty condition. An abandoned warehouse in Baltimore connected with the recycling plant operated by CDM eCycling was found containing approximately 3,000 Gaylord containers filled with CRTs.

Creative Recycling Systems announced in May it would be closing its central processing facility in Tampa, Florida. Recently, the company announced that it has decided to liquefy its remaining assets.

Sims Recycling Solutions (SRS) announced to close all its Canadian operations and substantially cut down the UK operations.

The US Senate passed the ‘Unlocking Consumer Choice and Wireless Competition Act’ that allows recyclers and refurbishers to bulk unlock used cellphones.