E-waste collection network launches in California

For those in the business of electronics recycling, your cast-off computers, mobile phones, monitors and other tech gadgets are a source of potential new revenue. But if someone has to drive an hour to drop off this stuff in a reliable location, chances are, they won't take action. That's the underlying challenge being addressed Ecollective, an initiative orchestrated by recycler ECS Refining. The company, which was founded in 1980 to help Silicon Valley companies derive value out of manufacturing scrap, is a certified e-Steward, which means that is has agreed to abide by certain policies in its recycling and recovery process.

Ecollective is, quite simply, an initiative that has established at least 100 small local recycling locations in California as drop-off points for ECS Refining. Carey Levine, director of marketing for ECS Refining, says that Ecollective partners are established collection agencies (such as Goodwill Industries) that aren't just opportunistically collecting electronic waste to make a quick buck. The partners are responsible for transferring the technology to ECS facilities.

Levine says the ultimate goal of Ecollective is to put an electronics or technology recycling drop-off point within 10 miles of most U.S. households. After the California launch, which kicked off in early October, the group will target other states with strong, established e-waste policies, she says.