TERRA highlights its Devices for Autism program

The Electronics Reuse & Recycling Alliance (TERRA), Nashville, will highlight its Devices for Autism program on International E-Waste Day Oct. 14. The program employs autistic adults and provides individuals and organizations with a secure, certified way to recycle end-of-life laptops and tablets.

“Devices for Autism shows how e-waste can be more than an environmental challenge—it can be a social opportunity,” TERRA President and CEO Steven Napoli says. “On International E-Waste Day, we encourage everyone to look at the unused devices around them. Donating through certified programs declutters your space, protects the environment and provides meaningful work for adults with autism.”

According to TERRA, global e-scrap reached 62 million tons in 2022, with less than a quarter properly recycled, and by 2030, that figure is projected to climb to 82 million tons. Dormant devices stored in homes and offices represent an untapped opportunity to reduce this impact, TERRA says.

Through a mail-in process, donors can ship qualifying devices to TERRA at no cost. Certified e-Stewards and R2 recyclers ensure data is destroyed, materials are recovered and refurbishable devices are reused. Beyond recycling, Devices for Autism creates a pathway to employment for autistic adults, who assist with disassembly, refurbishment and processing.