Comprenew expands service area

Above: Comprenew and Goodwill NWUM sign contract expanding Comprenew's reach
into Michigan's Upper Penninsula and northern Wisconsin.

Comprenew, a nonprofit electronics recycler based in Grand Rapids, Michigan, has announced a significant expansion of its service area into the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and northern Wisconsin. Comprenew provides data management, asset recovery and recycling services while fostering job readiness and computer literacy among at-risk populations in its community.

This geographic expansion builds on the strength of Goodwill of Northern Wisconsin and Upper Michigan (Goodwill NWUM), one of 155 independent Goodwill organizations. By partnering with Goodwill NWUM, Comprenew can expand electronics recycling and refurbishing services to the area through the development of retail stores, e-scrap drop-off locations and a processing center, the nonprofit says. Goodwill NWUM currently operates six retail stores and two training centers covering the territory, along with a logistical collection fleet. Comprenew says it will be able to use Goodwill NWUM’s existing infrastructure to keep cost affordable and service efficient.

Goodwill NWUM and Comprenew have a shared mission to provide job opportunities to people who experience barriers to long-term employment while inspiring environmental stewardship.

Comprenew President Scott Vander Kooy says, “It is exciting to be able to expand Comprenew’s model in a way that increases the public’s access to safe and secure recycling of electronics. Our partnership with Goodwill NWUM enables us to provide the best service as cost effectively as possible while helping to protect of one of the most beautiful parts of the world. I want to thank Jim Borowski (president and CEO of Goodwill NWUM) and his entire team for working with us to make this possible.”

Comprenew serves corporations, municipalities and individuals through the collection, refurbishing and recycling of used electronics. Comprenew is e-Stewards and R2 (Responsible Recycling Standard) certified, and its retail locations provide warrantied refurbished products while serving as places to drop off electronics for data destruction and proper recycling.

Comprenew says it strives to demonstrate that people who traditionally have barriers to employment can perform at the highest standards given the right training and environment. The nonprofit operates three social programs that are designed to improve access to information technology, provide work experience and offer service learning programs for corporations, community groups and schools.