Electronic waste is one of the most concerning growing threats to the environment. Thanks to the low cost of production, it’ easier than ever for corporations to pump out millions of laptops, smartphones, IoT devices and other consumer gadgets. Electronic companies believe repair and reuse hurts their bottom line, therefore they push for consumers to…
Provided is a weekly snapshot of the recent data center, 5G technology, mobile and blockchain related news that HOBI’s blog reported during the week 1/14-1/18. Poor data-center configuration adds to growing e-waste crisis One significant contributor to the e-waste crisis is data centers. These centers are rapidly popping up all across the globe. And at…
The EPA notes that the rapid rate of data centers popping up around the world is having a terribly negative impact on the planet. One of the most obvious impacts is the sheer amount of power consumption. Data centers account or three percent of the global electricity supply and consume more power than the entire…
For years, batteries have been an omnipresent pain for recyclers. Not only is the material hazardous but they can be difficult and expensive to break apart. And it does not help that the value of these devices continues to plummet as cheaper batteries made with less complex materials begin to appear on the market. However,…
Earlier this year, the Commerce Department’s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) proposed regulations that would strengthen U.S. government oversight of discarded electronic waste export policies that affect U.S. regulations. The agency’s proposed rule could restrict certain electronic waste exports altogether, requiring those items to be disposed of domestically. Permissible electronic waste exports under the proposed…
With the push for technology integration in just about every aspect of our daily lives, some children’s toys are more dangerous than parents probably realized. The most dangerous toys are those that require batteries or require electricity to run. When toys like singing dolls and remote controlled cars eventually stop dancing and racing around, it…
Provided is a weekly snapshot of the recent data security, scrap imports and recycling related news that HOBI’s blog reported during the week 11/12-11/16. Researchers discover security flaw in widely used data storage devices Researchers from the University of Radboud University in the Netherlands have discovered widely used data storage devices equipped with self-encrypting drives…
Provided is a weekly snapshot of the recent e-waste, artificial intelligence and consumer electronic news that HOBI’s blog reported during the week 10/29-11/02. BIS seeks public comments on foreign disposition of e-waste The Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) published in the Federal Register a notice of inquiry seeking public comments on the effects and…
Provided is a weekly snapshot of the recent ITAD, battery and technology news that HOBI’s blog reported during the week 10/08-10/12. A System for Success An article published by ISRI’s Scrap Magazine takes a look at how HOBI International, Inc. has thrived for decades in information technology asset disposition by providing services that meet customers’…
The National League of Cities (NLC) released a new report “Rethinking Recycling: How Cities Can Adapt to Evolving Markets,” which analyzes how American cities can develop reliable local waste management systems in response to China’s import ban. “In the face of adversity, city leaders have historically been our nation’s problem-solvers,” says Clarence Anthony, CEO and executive…
Today kicked off the E-Scrap 2018 Conference in New Orleans! And to start off on a the right foot, HOBI International’s president, Craig Boswell, spoke alongside Todd Ellis of Call2Recycle and Todd Coy of Kinsbursky Brothers, Inc. to present the best practices for batteries in the ITAD space. The workshop took an in depth look…
On average, one ton of gold ore contains up to five grams of pure gold. In comparison, one ton of discarded mobile phones can easily contain up to 300 grams of gold. Which means that mining gold from e-scrap would yield a better profit than from ore. In fact, according to Professor Jason Love, who…
The following photos and article were taken and written by Rachel H. Pollack and published in ISRI’s Scrap magazine. First things first: HOBI is pronounced “hobby,” and it’s simply a combination of the first two letters of the last names of siblings Cathy Hill, CEO, and Craig Boswell, president, the founders and owners of HOBI…
Provided is a weekly snapshot of the recent mobile, electronic waste and IoT news that HOBI’s blog reported during the week 10/01-10/05. Brand is driving the value of used phones A recent study conducted by researchers from the Yale University School of Forestry and Environmental Studies and Israel’s Tel Aviv University, reveal that the biggest…
More than 1.5 billion mobile phones were sold last year alone, on top of 4.2 billion computers, laptops and tablets. However, while consumer technology is flying off of shelves, global electronic recycling rates remain low. In an effort to raise awareness of this, the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Forum has organized the first…