CEA Study Highlights Growing Popularity of Electronics Recycling

A study released by the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA), Arlington, Va., finds that nine out of 10 consumers feel it is important to recycle consumer electronics. The CE Recycling and Reuse 2012 Edition also finds that 63 percent of consumers know where to bring obsolete electronics for recycling.

 

“The CE industry aims to make recycling consumer electronics as easy as purchasing them," says Walter Alcorn, CEA vice president of environmental affairs and industry sustainability. "The marked increase in consumer awareness of how and where to recycle their electronics illustrates the progress our industry has made on this issue."

 

The CEA also reports that nearly 60 percent of consumer electronics owners removed at least one device from their homes in the last year. Nearly half (48 percent) of these people donated the device for reuse and 26 percent recycled the device. Of those who donated a device, 63 percent gave it to friends and family. Of the 12 percent of consumer electronics (CE) owners who report putting a used CE device in the trash during the last 12 months, most cited convenience as the driving factor for their choice of removal. 
 

Recognizing that electronics recycling needs to be convenient for consumers, CEA has created a zip code locator on GreenerGadgets.org where consumers can find the closest responsible recycling opportunity sponsored by the CE industry and/or third-party certified recyclers. 

 

The CE Recycling and Reuse 2012 Edition study was conducted in August 2012. It was designed and formulated by CEA Market Research. The complete study is available free to CEA member companies at www.spmembers.CE.org. Nonmembers may purchase the study at the CEA Store.