Technology Recycling Service Helps Businesses Reduce E-Waste
A new technology recycling service, offered by a partnership between Staples Advantage and Electronic Recyclers International, Inc., will allow businesses to recycle large amounts of electronics.
Staples Advantage launched a technology recycling service for businesses to recycle old electronics. The first of its kind in the industry, the program, offered in partnership with Electronic Recyclers International, Inc. (ERI) allows businesses of all sizes to recycle large volumes of electronics conveniently, responsibly and in a secure manner.
Many electronic devices become unwanted, non-working, or obsolete within a few years of use, compounding the global volume of e-waste, which is expected to more than double by 2016, reaching 93.5 million tons compared to 41.5 million tons in 2011, according to the EPA.
“This program demonstrates how Staples continues to lead the industry in recycling efforts,” said Al Zoldos, vice president of sales, Staples Technology Solutions. “In 2007, we were the first retailer to offer recycling at our retail stores. Now, we’re the first to provide a way for our corporate customers to easily and responsibly recycle old electronics. From provisioning new equipment, then providing services to manage it and now an easy way to handle end of life recycling, we’re offering a true lifecycle approach to technology management.”
Staples Advantage’s new program allows businesses to recycle equipment – from cell phones and keyboards to telecom equipment and multi-function devices – via three simple steps:
- Order recycling boxes online at www.StaplesAdvantage.com.
- Fill boxes with electronics and ship back to Staples using a provided return label.
- Receive a Certificate of Recycling from Staples that their electronics have been properly recycled and data safely removed. The certificate is accredited by the e-Stewards Initiative, a project of the Basel Action Network, which is a non-profit organization dedicated to the responsible recycling of e-waste.
Benefits include of the program include: guaranteed data destruction by ERI; environmental compliance and certifications; responsible recycling of all types of electronic equipment; compliance with State E-Waste programs by ERI; and certificate of recycling.
“Staples Advantage is filling a void desperately needed in our industry – a way for companies to easily and securely recycle the mass amounts of e-waste being created annually,” said John Shegerian, chairman and CEO of Electronic Recyclers International. “Staples recognized this need and implemented this program, not because they’re required to, but because they know it’s the right thing to do. We’re privileged to be partnering with Staples on this initiative.”
Staples Advantage will also integrate this offering into its future Managed Print Services contracts, providing a seamless way for companies to recycle devices no longer needed after a consolidation effort.