Cleanzine: your weekly cleaning and hygiene industry newsletter 11th April 2024 Issue no. 1109
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The evolution of Earth Day: recycling becomes the focus for 22nd April
In 1970, Earth Day was originated to help save the environment from air and water pollution, but today, the celebration takes on a new meaning. Some 47% of Americans associate Earth Day with recycling, while only 23% associate it with cleaning up local parks or beaches - which most resembles the day's original purpose - according to a survey from ecoATM, the nationwide network of automated electronics recycling kiosks.
Recycling options have increased since the first Earth Day, and companies such as ecoATM are giving consumers an incentive to do so; ecoATM offers instant cash at the 1,890 kiosks across the US for cell phones, tablets and MP3 players.
Despite growth and widespread accessibility of recycling programmes, there are recyclable items still being thrown away. Some 47% of Americans admitted to throwing away batteries, in addition to:
* Clothes (38%)
* Ink Cartridges (24%)
* Coins (6%)
While 62%of Americans admitted to 'trashing' recyclable items, a relatively low number of those have tossed away small electronics: only 8% have thrown away a cell phone, and 4% an MP3 player.
"Thankfully, recycling gadgets has become more common than trashing them; however lack of convenience and the potential of using the device again were two main reasons cited from respondents who choose not to recycle their devices," says Randy Erman, director of product marketing at ecoATM. "Making recycling easier is one of the main reasons we introduced ecoATM; we offer a safe and convenient place to recycle small electronic devices that could otherwise contribute to e-waste in our nation's landfills."
ecoATM kiosks accept over 5,500 types of tablets, phones and MP3 players, and have already collected more than four million devices. To further incentivise device recycling, ecoATM has increased its payouts to coincide with the Samsung Galaxy S6 and S6 edge availability, offering even more instant cash and guaranteed price minimums for Samsung Galaxy S5 and iPhone 6 devices.
ecoATM uses patented, advanced machine vision, electronic diagnostics, and artificial intelligence to evaluate electronics. Its eCycling stations provide a convenient trade-in solution with features that validate sellers' identities and deter the sale of stolen phones, and the company collaborates with national, state and local law-enforcement groups in combating mobile phone theft through innovative use of technology and education.
ecoATM holds Responsible Recycling (R2) and ISO14001 certification, confirming the company's commitment to maintaining the highest standards of electronics recycling, as well as ISO27001 certification for information and personal data security.
For a video of how an ecoATM kiosk works, visit:
9th April 2015