Unlocking policy for technological devices to boost recycling

At its fall board meeting earlier this month, the Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries (ISRI) approved a new policy supporting the ability of recyclers and refurbishers to unlock technological devices such as cell phones, tablets and other electronics, and return reusable electronics products to the marketplace. Current copyright law makes the U.S. the only country where recyclers do not have the ability to unlock devices, standing in the way of advances in the reuse of technological devices and new innovations and competitive uses.

“The current system limits recyclers and consumers when it comes to extending the life and reusing cell phones and tablets,” said Robin Wiener, president of ISRI. “Allowing electronics recyclers and refurbishers to unlock these devices will help encourage the reuse of used electronics products and thus avoid the unnecessary and wasteful disposal of these products in landfills.”

Notwithstanding existing service agreements that consumers may have with their technological device provider, the policy supports legislation that, without violating copyright laws, allows recyclers and refurbishers to permanently unlock technological devices to maximize the use, maintenance and reuse of technological devices.

ISRI, serving as the Voice of the Recycling Industry, is composed of 1,700 members, including more than 400 electronics recyclers.

“Being able to unlock cell phones and tablets is necessary to maximize their reuse value. We refurbish, unlock, and resell these technological devices throughout the U.S. The current law impedes recyclers and refurbishers ability to reuse these devices and employ people to put these devices back into the market. Changing the U.S. copyright law to allow unlocking will help our company and the entire electronics recycling industry,” said Jim Levine, President of Regency Technologies and chairman of ISRI’s Electronics Division.