eRecyclingCorps Wins Recycler of the Year Award for its Wireless Device Trade-in Program

IRVING, Texas, May 16, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- eRecyclingCorps (eRC), the world's leading provider of carrier-grade wireless device trade-in solutions, will receive the Recycler of the Year Award at the Fourth Annual International Electronics Recycling Conference and Expo (IERCE) in Las Vegas on May 29-31. Awarded in 2011 to Sprint, the Recycler of the Year Award honors companies for innovative approaches to e-waste reduction and commitment to sustainability.  IERCE's panel of judges carefully reviewed several leading candidates and selected eRC for its novel instant, in-store credit program, proven to drive high-volume wireless device trade-ins in unprecedented numbers. Since its launch in 2009, eRC has channeled millions of phones away from landfills and successfully bridged the digital divide by redistributing phones for reuse where they are needed most.

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eRC's device trade-in and renewal program is used by five of the eight largest carriers in North America, including Verizon and Sprint, and operates in more than 15,000 retail locations worldwide.

"eRecyclingCorps has empowered major wireless carriers and retailers worldwide to tackle e-waste not only sustainably, but also profitably," said Ismail Oyekan, IERCE President and Program Director and publisher of Electronic Waste Journal. "By providing compelling incentives to carriers and consumer alike, eRecyclingCorps has figured out a scalable solution to extend the lifecycle of mobile devices."

eRC's trade-in platform rewards consumers with instant credit at the carrier or retail store for trading in retired devices. The devices are renewed to strict standards of functionality and resold at affordable prices in the U.S. and emerging markets, turning e-waste into a valuable asset while bridging the digital divide. A 2010 UN report found that in the poorest countries every 10% increase in cell phone penetration leads to a 1% increase in the country's GDP. By bringing affordable technology to emerging markets, eRC helps to provide the tools necessary to break the cycle of poverty in the developing world.  

"eRecyclingCorps has given a second life to more than five million phones and generated millions in savings for our carrier partners--and this is just the beginning," said Kelly Carnago, SVP of Marketing at eRC. "Imagine the world before we recycled paper, plastics, glass--all valuable materials. Recycling mobile devices via in-store trade-in is phase two, and by aligning financial incentives from the carrier to the consumer, eRC is making this a reality today. Our company was founded on strong business and environmental principles, and we're honored to be recognized for meeting our ambitious targets in such a short amount of time."

About eRecyclingCorps

eRecyclingCorps (eRC) is the world's leading provider of carrier-grade wireless device trade-in solutions. Founded in 2009 to provide a scalable model to repurpose and reuse perceptually obsolete devices, eRC partners with global wireless carriers and retailers to provide instant, in-store trade-in credit. eRC renews devices to stringent certification standards and sells them to consumers in developing countries at an affordable price thereby bridging the digital divide. eRC is projected to complete more than six million wireless trade-ins worldwide in 2012, operates in ten countries worldwide and is a founding member of the Device Renewal Forum. For more information, visit erecyclingcorps.com.

About the International Electronics Recycling Conference & Expo

IERCE is a networking and learning platform for electronics manufacturers, resellers, recyclers and other stakeholders in the electronic waste management and reverse logistics industry. The event will be held May 29-31,2012 at the Bellagio Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas. For more information, including speakers, exhibitors and registration, visit www.electronicsrecyclingexpo.com or call 877.355.7006

SOURCE eRecyclingCorps