'Tis the Season to Recycle: Project Reboot Launched to Increase Electronics Recycling

FRISCO, TX--(Marketwired - Dec 11, 2013) - According to a recently released Harris Interactive Poll, despite wanting to recycle used electronics, consumers often lack the knowledge needed to properly recycle. To address this problem, Earth911, a subsidiary of Quest Resource Holding Corporation (OTCQB: QRHC), and the Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries (ISRI), are joining forces on a new public awareness initiative called Project Reboot. Project Reboot is designed to increase and encourage the safe and secure recycling of household electronics.

Project Reboot aims to bring together businesses, corporations, and civic groups to educate the public on the need to responsibly recycle electronics. Year-long education efforts will not only focus on the need to recycle electronics, but also on the importance of doing it responsibly through a recycler certified to handle electronics at the highest level of environmental, health and worker safety standards, and that guarantees secure destruction of all personal data. In addition, there will be an electronics recycling pledge, social media components (including an interactive Facebook page), print materials on how and where to safely recycle, recycling and reuse tips, and more.

"People too often clamor for the latest technology with little knowledge of how to responsibly recycle the gadgets they are replacing," said Robin Wiener, president of ISRI. "The goal of this initiative is to educate people on the environmental, economic, and social responsibility of proper electronics recycling, and ultimately to increase the rate over the coming year."

"The ability for consumers to find electronic recycling opportunities in their community are essential to ensure these obsolete devices are properly handled," said Brian Dick, Earth911's Chief Executive Officer. "Our partnership with ISRI and its membership will help educate consumers and help them locate responsible recyclers in their area. We are excited to assist ISRI to create awareness and provide options to an ever growing industry."

The Harris survey found nearly 70% of American adults have recycled at least one type of small electronics product in the past. Such products include: ink or toner cartridges, cell phones, desktop monitors, laptops, printers, computers, keyboards, and a mouse. Yet, that still leaves nearly 75 million Americans (31%) who have never recycled electronics, primarily because they did not have the right information. This figure includes 39% of younger adults ages 18-34 who have never recycled any small electronics. Among the reasons given for not recycling (respondents had the option of choosing multiple reasons):

• 26% did not know where to recycle electronics;
• 16% did not know how to recycle them securely;
• 14% did not know their device(s) could be recycled;
• 12% thought it was too much trouble to recycle; and
• 6% thought the device(s) were supposed to be disposed of in the trash.

The survey also found that despite the lack of information regarding electronics recycling, 97% of American adults would recycle their small electronics.

More than 70% of collected used electronics equipment is manufactured into specification grade commodities -- including scrap steel, aluminum, copper, lead, circuit boards, plastics, and glass. For instance, one metric ton of electronic scrap from personal computers contains more gold than that recovered from 17 tons of gold ore. Other used electronics are repaired, refurbished, and resold domestically and internationally to assist those who otherwise could not afford such technology.

Project Reboot's success will be measured through surveying consumer knowledge and attitudes as well as available statistics on the collection rates of household used electronics.

For continued coverage of Project Reboot follow along on Twitter at @RebootProject.

Complete survey methodology, including weighting variables is available online.

The Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries, Inc. (ISRI)
The Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries, Inc. (ISRI) is the Voice of the Recycling Industry™. ISRI represents more than 1,700 companies in 21 chapters nationwide that process, broker and industrially consume scrap commodities, including metals, paper, plastics, glass, rubber, electronics and textiles. With headquarters in Washington, DC, the Institute provides safety, education, advocacy, and compliance training, and promotes public awareness of the vital role recycling plays in the U.S. economy, global trade, the environment and sustainable development.

Earth911
Earth911, Inc. ("Earth911") supports the growth and goals of businesses and the information needs of consumers on topics relevant to recycling and low waste. Through its data division, Earth911 is the technology partner for businesses to create unique consumer engagement opportunities through recycling intelligence, powered by the largest directory of recycling information in the United States. Earth911.com is our lifestyle and media publishing division that connects advertising partners with consumers in all aspects of their daily lives, from work and home to food and style. Earth911 is a subsidiary of Quest Resource Holding Corporation (OTCQB: QRHC). (www.earth911.com)