Electronic Recyclers International (ERI), the nation’s leading recycler of electronic waste, announced today that it has reached a partnership agreement with Alcoa, 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.”