President Obama signs “Unlocking” bill into law
President Barack Obama signed the Unlocking Consumer Choice and Wireless Competition Act (S. 517/H.R. 1123) into law Aug. 1. The U.S. Senate approved the bill July 15, while the House approved it July 25, 2014.
The Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries (ISRI), Washington, has applauded the passage of the law, which reinstates the exemption for recyclers and refurbishers to bulk unlock used cellphones for refurbishment and resale.
ISRI says it appreciates the bipartisan effort to pass the legislation, which removes the competitive disadvantage to recyclers and refurbishers in the marketplace. Previously, electronics manufacturers and telecommunication carriers wielded the power of copyright to control access to information necessary to unlock, refurbish and resell used technological devices, such as cellphones and tablets, the association notes.
By allowing bulk unlocking, recyclers and refurbishers say they can put valuable and working devices back into the marketplace where there is strong demand. The newly passed legislation is consistent with ISRI’s policy.
“We are very pleased that the legal right for recyclers and refurbishers to bulk unlock cellphones has been restored,” says ISRI President Robin Wiener. “Copyright law should not stand in the way of advances in the legitimate reuse of cellphones and tablets or prevent innovations and competitive uses for such devices.”
Sims Recycling Solutions to restructure
Sims Metal Management Ltd., with corporate headquarters in Sydney and New York, has announced a restructuring designed to streamline Sims Recycling Solutions, its electronics recycling business.
A review has determined that certain loss-making assets are outside of the company’s strategic long-term interests. These operations include much of Sims Recycling Solutions’ operations in the United Kingdom and all of its operations in Canada. Legislation and market dynamics in these two countries have resulted in these businesses being commercially unattractive to the company going forward, according to Sims.
Sims says it will redirect capital and resources to other parts of its businesses that are more attractive.
The company says its U.K. metals operations, refrigeration recycling and IT asset management solutions will not be affected by its restructuring. Sims Recycling Solutions’ operations outside the U.K. and Canada also will not be affected by the company’s restructuring.
ITRenew expands in Toronto
ITRenew Inc., a Newark, California-based company that provides IT asset disposition (ITAD) and data sanitization services, says it will open a large plant in Toronto.
“We are experiencing tremendous growth, both domestically and internationally,” says Namki Yi, general manager of ITRenew. “In order to continue the high level of service our customers have become accustomed to, it is now necessary to expand our operations in various locations.”
At the new Toronto facility, ITRenew will provide a range of ITAD services, including data sanitization and asset refurbishing.
“Like all other ITRenew locations, a key focus when processing data center and IT enterprise systems is to remanufacture and remarket as much equipment as possible.”
Yi adds, “Only when equipment is too old or not healthy enough for reuse will it be recycled in accordance with the facility’s R2 (Responsible Recycling Practices) certification and ITRenew’s zero-landfill policy.”
He continues, “Other certifications for this location include ISO 14001 and ISO 9001. Ontario Electronic Stewardship (OES) certification is also scheduled.”
ITRenew also has announced the expansion of its ITAD operations in Brazil. Prior to the expansion, ITRenew maintained a facility in the Sao Paulo area that was dedicated to secure data sanitization and computer drive refurbishing.
The expanded plant, located in Alphaville, near Sao Paulo, measures roughly 10,000 square feet. At the facility, ITRenew provides ITAD services, including forensic-level data sanitization, remanufacturing of enterprise systems for the purpose of remarketing and demanufacturing of outdated systems.
“It is our mandate to serve the interests of the Brazilian government and make every effort to repair, not destroy, computer drives and other system components,” says Nazar Lawrence, ITRenew director of operations for Central and South America.
The company has a total of 15 facilities in 12 countries.