Envirocycle Opens Electronics Recycling Center

Envirocycle Inc., Hallstead, Pa., has opened an electronics recycling center in Rancho Cucamonga, Calif. The facility has been approved by the California Integrated Waste Management Board and the Department of Toxic Substances to collect and recycle electronics, and is authorized to participate in the state’s electronics recycling payment system.

“Due in great part to California’s initiative in regulating the management of electronic waste, as well as the technologically advanced climate in the state, we decided to expand to the West Coast,” says Greg Voorhees, Vice President of Operations at Envirocycle. “One thing that makes Envirocycle unique is our ability to clean and process cathode ray tube (CRT) glass, and return it to CRT tube manufacturers,” he adds.

“Most recyclers do not have the ability to process the glass, and will either ship it to processors like Envirocycle or to secondary lead smelters,” Voorhees continues. “The new regulations are going to create a mountain of CRT glass that most processors in the state are unwilling or unable to deal with. Envirocycle accepts whole, vented CRT tubes from other approved collectors and recyclers for environmentally safe processing.”

An estimated 2.5 million pounds of electronics were recycled in the Envirocycle plant in Hallstead, Pa., in 2004. The company also operates a facility in Mount Pleasant, Pa., on a Sony campus, and one in San Diego, located within Sony’s National Headquarters. The firm is also in the process of opening additional collection facilities on the West Coast to support its growing business.

In addition to demanufacturing obsolete electronics, Envirocycle operates an Asset Management Department that helps businesses properly dispose of unwanted electronics, like computers, faxes and copiers, by recycling or selling them as whole devices or in parts, after rigorous inspection and testing. The company says it does not sell untested, non-working equipment overseas.

Envirocycle also actively works and consults with communities to develop and implement specific programs for mass disposal of electronic waste, either through Residential Collection events or continuing weekly pick-ups.

Envirocycle accepts all types of electronics, from mainframe computers to PDAs, with the only exceptions being smoke detectors and thermostats.

California residents and businesses are being encouraged to bring their obsolete equipment to the Rancho Cucamonga facility weekdays between 7:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, or can schedule a pick-up by calling (909) 980-0688. More information on the company and its services is available at www.enviroinc.com.

The company has been recycling electronics for over 13 years, and regularly partners with electronics manufacturers like Sony, Panasonic, Sharp, JVC and Lexmark to hold collection events throughout the country.