Outerwall says it expects to collect at least 2 million pounds of mobile phones, tablets, and other devices and accessories over the next three years through its ecoATM recycling kiosks, which accept electronics for reuse and recycling, helping to divert e-waste from landfills.
More than 1.8 billion mobile phones were sold worldwide in 2013, according to Gartner, and Apple announced more than 4 million iPhone 6 and 6 Plus pre-orders were received within the first 24 hours of its announcement earlier this month.
Outerwall’s network of about 1,100 ecoATM kiosks, located in shopping malls and some retailers nationwide, recycle consumer electronics. ecoATM is able to find a second life for approximately 75 percent of devices collected. For the remaining 25 percent, ecoATM partners with certified e-waste reclamation facilities to ensure those materials are responsibly reused and recycled.
EcoATM kiosks identify, evaluate, price and accept devices of any era or condition and use a worldwide auction system to offer consumers competitive prices ranging from a few dollars to a few hundred dollars. ecoATM holds both Responsible Recycling (R2) and ISO 14001 certification, as well as ISO 27001 certification for information and personal data security.
Late last week Best Buy announced it has now recycled 1 billion pounds of electronic and large appliance waste in just six years.
