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Consumer electronics-including TVs, computers, peripherals, audio equipment, and phones-make up almost 2 percent of the municipal solid waste stream, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) . This percentage may seem small and inconsequential, but the quantity of electronic waste is steadily rising. In fact, the EPA estimates that the number of obsolete consumer electronics sold between 1980 and 2007 is 235 million; a total weight of 2.25 million tons. Where are these 235 million units now? Eighteen percent of these products were collected for recycling; the rest are, unfortunately, sitting in landfills. Toxins (lead, mercury, flame retardants, and the like) from these electronics can seep into the soil and ground water, posing serious health and environmental risks.

Market Velocity, the leading provider of turn-key, web-enabled recycling, asset recovery, trade-in, and donation solutions for Fortune 1000 & consumer electronics manufacturers, and a wholly owned subsidiary of Mediagrif Interactive Technologies Inc. (TSX: MDF), makes it simple for technology companies, distributors and resellers to drive new sales and increase market share with creatively packaged online equipment upgrade programs. Market Velocity's clients are able to attract new buyers with exciting trade-in promotions while offering existing customers compelling, instant trade-in values for previous purchases through Market Velocity's vast network of remarketers. Customized trade-in sites are integrated with in-depth services and customer support to manage every aspect of trade-in programs, from promotion design through payments processing and extensive market data analysis. End users have multiple equipment disposal options including donations and recycling programs that meet the industry's highest standards for safety and privacy. Visit www.marketvelocity.com to learn more about the industry's only full-service, web-based solution for trade-in programs and launch your upgrade campaign today.Market Velocity, the leading provider of turn-key, web-enabled recycling, asset recovery, trade-in, and donation solutions for Fortune 1000 & consumer electronics manufacturers, and a wholly owned subsidiary of Mediagrif Interactive Technologies Inc. (TSX: MDF), makes it simple for technology companies, distributors and resellers to drive new sales and increase market share with creatively packaged online equipment upgrade programs. Market Velocity's clients are able to attract new buyers with exciting trade-in promotions while offering existing customers compelling, instant trade-in values for previous purchases through Market Velocity's vast network of remarketers. Customized trade-in sites are integrated with in-depth services and customer support to manage e

The Electronics TakeBack Coalition (ETBC) promotes green design and responsible recycling in the electronics industry. Its goal is to protect the health and well being of electronics users, workers, and the communities where electronics are produced and discarded by requiring consumer electronics manufacturers and brand owners to take full responsibility for the life cycle of their products, through effective public policy requirements or enforceable agreements. ETBC plans to accomplish this goal by establishing extended producer responsibility (EPR) as the policy tool to promote sustainable production and consumption of consumer electronics (all products with a circuit board). The Campaign will focus first on establishing EPR for personal computers.

Wall Street Journal article by Ryan Knutson, 7/2/09. Small electronics makers are struggling with -- and fighting against -- new state laws mandating they pay for electronic recycling programs for consumers. Five companies, including ViewSonic Corp., CTX Technology Inc. and ToteVision Inc., are threatening litigation against Washington state's new electronic waste law, which requires manufacturers to fund recycling and collection services for old TVs, personal computers and monitors. The companies argue the law, which took effect this year, charges them too much and improperly includes out-of-state businesses. Meanwhile, the Consumer Electronics Association, a trade group representing 2,000 electronics companies, is negotiating with the New York City officials to change a city ordinance that would require electronics companies to pick up old gadgets door-to-door. The CEA says the ordinance, scheduled to take effect July 31, would cost the industry $200 million annually.

Living in an age of disposability has led many durable goods manufacturers to explore ways of reducing the environmental footprint their products leave during their manufacturing process and throughout their lifecycle. The sheer volume of mobile phones produced annually and the propensity of users to chase mobile technology trends leads to an average replacement cycle of between 12 and 18 months, bringing special attention to the greening efforts of mobile device manufacturers. As consumer awareness and environmental legislation continue to evolve, handset vendors are developing their corporate responsibility initiatives to develop new business practices aimed at improving the compliance and environmental sustainability of their handsets. The European commission and industry-led initiatives have made great progress in developing a set of requirements and goals for developing sustainable business practices across the entire life cycle of handset production, distribution, use and disposal. This study identifies and explores key global handset initiatives and the handsets that are coming to market as a result of vendors' efforts to minimize their environmental impact. It also offers an analysis of US consumer interest, awareness and preferences of green handset vendor initiatives. Available for purchase from ABI Research at this URL.

Planned obsolescence is a strategy of manufacturing consumer products that can last only up to a specific lifespan which is usually a short one. There are ample ways in which planned obsolescence is deliberately used to actively encourage the consumer to buy a new upgrade within a short period. Find out some of the opportunities that lie in this practice, with Veracity World.

While electronics waste or e-waste recycling partnerships are providing significant environmental benefits by keeping waste out of landfills, they are also giving manufacturers and retailers an environmental marketing edge by providing their customers with a needed service, together with financial incentives, whether its through gift cards or charitable donations. Here are a few of the most recent partnerships aimed at providing responsible recycling programs for consumers and businesses. Environmental Leader, 7/23/09.

iGo, a leading provider of portable power management, has made a pledge to support and maintain the iGo Recycles program in conjunction with the Environmental Protection Agency's Plug-in to eCycling. The program is a voluntary partnership between the EPA and electronics manufacturers to offer household consumers more opportunities to donate or recycle their used electronics.

"According to the Consumer Electronics Association, digital television sales are up over 30 percent compared to this time last year.TV sales are getting a big boost from the mandatory switch to digital TV signals.And while an estimated 76,000 households in Chicago still aren't prepared for the change, come tomorrow, TV's going digital anyway. So what happens to all those old TVs being kicked to the curb? Melville Nickerson is a staff attorney with the Environmental Law and Policy Center explains what to do with them." Chicago Public Radio, Eight Forty-Eight, 6/11/09. Podcast.

Sony is introducing a new scrappage scheme which will hand out up to a maximum of £150 to those who purchase a new television set from the consumer electronics giant. The recycling scheme, which will involve handing back you old TV set, will start on the 21st of August; 26-inch Bravia purchases will attract a £50 cashback whereas purchasers of a 46-incher like the KDL-46WE5 will get the full £150 discount.

Regulations governing disposal of electronic waste can reduce the world's mountains of recycled devices, says Professor Erica Plambeck. She and her coauthor also find that by encouraging manufacturers to slow the rate of new product introductions, consumers are willing to pay more for devices now on the shelves.

Today NextWorth, of Lawrence, Mass., which describes itself as a consumer electronics trade-in company, unveiled a program to receive old cell phones and other devices and pay out cash for them if they're still usable, or responsibly recycle them if they're not.

Canon Middle EastCanon Middle EastCanon Middle East CME Region-wide | Consumer Goods News | Profile | Officers , the world-leading innovator and provider of imaging and information technology solutions, today announced its latest environmental initiative in the Middle East with the signing of a partnership agreement with EnviroServe, the leading environmental waste managers.

The GigaOM Network, a leading Silicon Valley news network, today announces the final schedule for the Green:Net conference, to be held March 24, 2009 in San Francisco. The first Green:Net conference spotlights how technologies of the Web and the Internet will be instrumental in the new, green economy. The conference will be the first event hosted by Earth2Tech, The GigaOM Network's cleantech publication and a thought leader in the emerging "Green Digital" sector. Startups are also encouraged to apply to the Green:Net LaunchPad, a green startup showcase, before nominations close on February 13th. More details are available on the conference website. Software, communication networks and the web will help companies shape the future of our electrical system, deliver transportation infrastructure, create social movements and help both companies and regular folks reduce carbon emissions. The Green:Net conference brings together the knowledge and talent of The GigaOM Networks publications GigaOM and Earth2Tech to create a must-attend event for those interested in everything from money-saving, energy-efficient data centers to money-making online applications for businesses and consumers.

Wal-Mart joins statewide campaign to help consumers recycle e-waste free-of-charge KIRKLAND, Wash., Jan. 8 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Lucky recipients of a new TV, laptop or monitor for Christmas will have a new way to recycle their old equipment starting next week in Washington State. Effective January 1st of 2009, residents will be able to recycle computers, monitors, laptops and TVs through the new E-Cycle Washington program free of charge. The permanent program is funded by electronic manufacturers and there is no time limit for bringing in unwanted electronics for recycling.

Everything has its season, and recycling interest is no different. Maybe it's because everyone is trying to make room in their houses after the holiday gifts pour in. Or maybe it's some sort of New Year's resolution. Or just because everyone is issuing press releases tied to the Consumer Electronics Show in that famous town of excess, Las Vegas.

A new electronic recycling program kicked off in Oregon this month, giving consumers and small businesses a way to discard their old computers, monitors and televisions, and free up some garage space at the same time. The Oregon E-Cycles program, run by the Department of Environmental Quality, lets Oregonians drop off up to seven items at local collection sites, including numerous locations in Tualatin, Tigard and Sherwood. Small businesses may also unload their electronic waste if they have less than 10 employees. Larger businesses may be charged a fee.

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Major manufacturers and retailers recycled more than 66.5 million pounds of used consumer electronics last year in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 's Plug-In To eCycling program. In reporting the tally yesterday, the EPA said the haul for 2008 is 30 percent greater than the amount recycled in 2007. The EPA program, launched in 2003, now involves more than two dozen firms . Several companies were recognized for their recycling efforts in the EPA's announcement of the program's progress. The firms singled out for mention included Dell, Staples, Best Buy, Sony, LG, Samsung, Wal-Mart, Panasonic, Sharp and Toshiba. The goods recycled in the agency program last year prevented the release of greenhouse gases equivalent to the annual emissions of an estimated 15,500 cars, the EPA said.

January 8, 2009 (IDG News Service) New consumer-electronics products are a little greener than those on sale a year ago -- but manufacturers could do much better, according to a study by environmental campaign group Greenpeace International . The report, "Green Electronics: The Search Continues" (download PDF) , evaluated 50 products that 15 companies identified as their most environmentally friendly models, but it found that none of them performed well against all criteria. Greenpeace will hold a news conference at the International CES in Las Vegas on Friday to discuss the report's details

Rep. Zack Hudgins, D-Seattle, says a state law that just went into effect to encourage recycling of electronics needs some tinkering to make sure it doesn't inadvertently bankrupt businesses that fix old computers. Hudgins' South Seattle district includes several computer-refurbishing shops. The law went into effect yesterday. It allows consumers to recycle computers, computer monitors, laptops and TVs for free. It is being hailed as groundbreaking nationally because it marks the first time a state has forced electronics manufacturers to pay the entire cost of the recycling. But there's a big problem with the law, according to environmentalists as well as the computer refurbishers. They say it puts a big hurdle in the way of the computer rebuilders. So Hudgins says he is drafting legislation in an attempt to fix the problem. The legislation would allow nonprofit groups to fix perhaps 500 to 1,000 computers per year for resale to the public.