NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Electronic Recyclers International (ERI), the nation’s leading recycler of electronic waste, announced today that it has reached a partnership agreement with Alcoa (NYSE: AA), the world’s leading aluminum producer. As part of the agreement, Alcoa will become a minority investor in ERI.
Consumer electronics represents a fast-growing market for aluminum because of the metal’s light weight, durability, heat conductivity and limitless surface finishes. Aluminum content in laptops alone is expected to increase 30 percent by 2013, from a 2010 baseline. Through this new partnership, Alcoa will bring its expertise in aluminum and recycling to the growing challenge of e-waste, enhancing the role aluminum plays in making electronics more sustainable.
“We see tremendous opportunity for aluminum in the consumer electronics market,” said Alcoa Vice President and Chief Sustainability Officer Kevin Anton. “This partnership with ERI enhances Alcoa’s ability to deliver on its commitment to sustainability by increasing the recycling of consumer electronics and driving sustainable practices. As the country’s largest e-waste recycler, ERI shares Alcoa’s commitment to financial success, environmental excellence, and social responsibility, and I look forward to working with ERI to drive recycling in the consumer electronics market.”
Alcoa partnered with ERI in 2010 to develop the free “Aluminate” recycling app for iPhone, as part of the company’s goal of increasing the recycling rate of aluminum cans in the U.S. to 75 percent by the year 2015.
Alcoa’s investment will help further develop ERI’s industry-leading recycling technologies and expand its geographic footprint across the U.S.
“We are honored to be partnering with Alcoa, the leading aluminum company in the world today,” said John Shegerian, ERI’s Chairman and CEO. “As aluminum’s use in the global consumer electronics market continues to increase rapidly, our partnership with Alcoa will allow us to continue expanding and improving our operations while keeping pace with the ever-growing demand for sustainable solutions to electronic waste.”
For more information on recycling needs, visit www.electronicrecyclers.com, http://1800recycling.com or www.urbanmining.org.
About ERI:
Now the largest recycler of electronic waste in the world, Fresno-headquartered Electronic Recyclers International is licensed to de-manufacture and recycle televisions, computer monitors, computers, and other types of electronic equipment. ERI processes more than 120 million pounds of electronic waste annually in its six locations in California, Washington, Colorado, Indianapolis, Massachusetts and Texas. For more information about e-waste recycling and ERI, call 1-800-884-8466 or visit http://www.electronicrecyclers.com.
About Alcoa
Alcoa (NYSE:AA) is the world’s leading producer of primary and fabricated aluminum, as well as the world’s largest miner of bauxite and refiner of alumina. In addition to inventing the modern-day aluminum industry, Alcoa innovation has been behind major milestones in the aerospace, automotive, packaging, building and construction, commercial transportation, consumer electronics and industrial markets over the past 120 years. Among the solutions Alcoa markets are flat-rolled products, hard alloy extrusions, and forgings, as well as Alcoa® wheels, fastening systems, precision and investment castings, and building systems in addition to its expertise in other light metals such as titanium and nickel-based super alloys. Sustainability is an integral part of Alcoa’s operating practices and the product design and engineering it provides to customers. Alcoa has been a member of the Dow Jones Sustainability Index for nine consecutive years and approximately 75 percent of all of the aluminum ever produced since 1888 is still in active use today. Alcoa employs approximately 59,000 people in 31 countries across the world. More information can be found at www.alcoa.com.