When I was a kid, one of my most favorite things to do was collect bags of aluminum cans just so I could take them to the can bank machine down the street from where I lived. At the time, can banks seemed to be everywhere. I don’t know if there was an aluminum shortage in the 80’s or not that had these things everywhere, but I always found it so cool that you could feed a machine a bunch of trash and it would spit out money and/or some type of coupon in return for your efforts. To be honest, I probably would not have done nearly as much recycling as I did then if it hadn’t been for the can bank. Well it seems the concept of automated incentivized recycling is far from dead as the new EcoATM is already proving.
The Machine That Gets You To Recycle
The EcoATM is a fully automated and free standing e-cycling solution that has the capability of recycling a vast array of mobile electronics; many of which are often times difficult to recycle. Developed by the San Diego-based company EcoATM (formerly known as ReMobile), the EcoATM is capable of recycling anything relating to mobile electronics including phones, GPS, MP3 players, headsets, etc. The EcoATM uses a camera-based system to detect signs of wear and damage in order to determine a device’s approximate value. It then assigns a real-time secondary market value and offers the user various forms of compensation ranging from in-store dollars, gift cards, charitable donations or discounts. If the device is worth nothing, a user can choose to assign the device to the recycle bin to be recycled or refurbished. EcoATM will even plant a tree for every phone recycled.
What’s In It For The Retailer?
Of course, businesses have to agree to allow an EcoATM in their stores, but this shouldn’t be a problem given the fact that the EcoATM makes all parties involved, including the environment, winners. Retailers get the machines installed for free and are able to use the machines for in-store promotions by paying users in ‘in-store dollars’, gift cards, and/or discounts. Retailers also have the ability to use the EcoATM to fund local charities. The best part for the retailer; they have to do nothing. The bin and machine is serviced by EcoATM and the machine itself removes the possibility of haggling compensation prices with donators. Plus, retailers operating in states that have strict e-waste laws are able to be in compliance without having to do much of anything.
Where Are They?
Currently, the only active EcoATM is at the Nebraska Furniture Mart. Though still undergoing real world testing, in a fairly obscure location, EcoATM is proving to be a huge success. On it’s first day of use alone, the EcoATM received 23 phones; some of which were in perfect condition. EcoATM plans on a larger rollout of machines at wireless stores and big box chains in the 2nd quarter of 2010. Looks like I’m destined to feed recycling machines yet again.
The Good: A high tech automated machine that makes recycling convenient, fun and monetarily worth the effort.
The Bad: Currently only one machine is in operation. Camera system most likely will be inaccurate with some of its value determinations of donated devices. Durability of the machines remains to be seen.
The Bottom-Line: A really cool way to get people to recycle electronics that otherwise would end up in the trash or drawers forever.
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