Dive Brief:
- The Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries (ISRI) in Washington, D.C. has warned against consequences stemming from the Unlocking Consumer Choice and Wireless Competition Act, H.R. 1123.
- The House of Representatives passed the bill in February and the organization has noted that if the bill becomes a law, it will become illegal for electronics recyclers and refurbishers to unlock the devices in large quantities.
- In October, the ISRI board approved a cell unlocking policy that allowed consumers, recyclers and companies that refurbish the phones to legally unlock the devices. Bulk unlocking allows the e-waste companies to return the phones back into the stream of consumer electronics.
Dive Insight:
According to Recycling Today, President of the ISRI, Robin Wiener, said that "By not allowing unlocking phones in bulk, recyclers and refurbishes are placed in a competitive disadvantage and may be forced to outsource the repair jobs to facilities outside of the United States where unlocking is legal."
Only around 8% of cell phones are recycled, attributed to consumer uncertainty about what to do with obsolete devices. Companies such as eRecycling Group provide cell phone trade-in programs for carriers. Sims Recycling launched a cell buyback service in October of 2013; consumers are encouraged to sell used phones online through a Sims website. Wiener expressed hope that when the bill reaches the Senate, changes will be made before the bill becomes a law with adverse effects.