Texas City Awards Contract to Image Microsystems

Image Microsystems, a provider of technology restoration, reverse logistics, electronic scrap recycling and recycled products manufacturing, has been awarded the IT and computer asset recovery and recycling contract by the city of Austin, Texas.

The contract is for two years with four one-year extensions, says Liz Walker, Image Microsystems’ vice president, business development and marketing.

"We are thrilled to have been awarded this contract," Alex Abadi, Image Microsystems CEO, says. "Since 1992, Image Microsystems has been leading the charge for safe and secure domestic e-waste recycling. Receiving this contract from the city of Austin—one of the greenest cities in the nation—validates our efforts to eliminate domestic landfilling and overseas dumping of e-waste. Our R2 (Responsible Recycling) and ISO 14001:2004 certifications, coupled with the development of a closed-loop, cradle-to-cradle manufacturing process, that actually creates new products manufactured from e-waste, are key components of that effort."

The contract comes as Austin is set to implement a city-wide refresh of its computer equipment. The refresh, slated to begin Oct. 17, is expected to run for three years.

Along with handling the electronics collected through the refresh program, as part of its contract Image Microsystems will hold a number of recycling collection programs throughout the city.

According to Image Microsystems, a portion of the obsolete electronics collected will be used to make street signs. The company’s MicroStrate sign substrate is made completely of recycled plastics derived from electronic scrap. Through the process, Image Microsystems combines dirty plastic found in spent printer cartridges, computers or other electronics and converts it into signage.

Walker says while the company is producing some signage at its Austin plant, it expects to open up another facility in Kyle, Texas by the end of 2011, which will allow the company to increase its production of its MicroStrate sign substrates.

In addition to Image Microsystems’s main facility in Austin, the company also has a 100,000-square-foot facility in California and smaller facility in the Columbus, Ohio area.