Consumer Technology Association Launches New State E-Cycling Pilot Program

Recently, the Consumer Technology Association (CTA), in association with CTA member companies Best Buy, Dell, HP, LG, Samsung and VIZIO, announced a year-long pilot program to help Nebraskans recycle their consumer electronics (CE). According to CTA’s new Nebraska CE Recycling and Reuse Study, while recycling is important to a majority (87 percent) of Nebraskans, only half (49 percent) of adults living in the state know where they can recycle electronics, compared to a considerably higher awareness (59 percent) nationwide.

“In response to Nebraskans’ concerns about the availability and awareness of recycling opportunities for consumer electronics such as televisions and computers, the retail and technology industries have an excellent opportunity to increase public awareness and improve Nebraska’s sustainability efforts,” said Walter Alcorn, vice president, environmental affairs and industry sustainability, CTA. “Our industry is making great strides nationally in reducing e-waste and producing lighter, more efficient products, but we still have work to do in Nebraska. We want to ensure that industry solutions provide visible opportunities for consumers to recycle their old electronics of all shapes and sizes.”

“VIZIO fully supports the reuse, repurposing and ultimately the responsible recycling of VIZIO consumer electronic products when they reach the end of their useful life,” said Caitlin Sanchez, VIZIO. "VIZIO is pleased to partner with CTA on this important effort in Nebraska to ensure that Nebraskans have access to recycling options across the state.”

The pilot program will offer a range of recycling opportunities not only in Nebraska’s larger urban areas, but also in smaller communities. Consumer electronics manufacturers are funding the program, ensuring the state and taxpayers won’t expend any additional resources. At the end of 2017, CTA will analyze the results and produce a report summarizing the pilot process, deliverables and recommendations for future action.

The consumer tech industry has been a leader in advancing responsible recycling. Last year, more than 700 million pounds of consumer electronics were recycled at 8,300 collection locations through the industry-led eCycling Leadership Initiative. And according to new data from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), consumer electronics have the fastest growing recycling rate of any product category in the United States.

To find the electronics recycler site nearest you, as well as tips on how to live green, buy green and recycle responsibly, visit GreenerGadgets.org. To learn more about the consumer technology industry's efforts towards overall sustainability and efficiency, visit CTA.tech/Green.