ecoATM's Innovative Consumer Electronics Recycling Kiosk Uses Advanced Technology to Solve E-Waste Problem

SAN DIEGO, Jan. 3, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- ecoATM, the award-winning San Diego start-up known for its commitment to the environment and its innovative kiosks that automate the buy-back of used portable electronics and mobile phones directly from consumers, announced today that its award-winning kiosk will be on display in the Grand Lobby of the Las Vegas Convention Center (just inside the front doors between Central Hall and North Hall) during the 2012 International CES, January 10-13.

Given the growing global problem of e-waste, the ecoATM kiosk is a great example of technology solving a problem created by technology. ecoATM uses patented machine vision, electronic diagnostics, and artificial intelligence to evaluate and buy back used cell phones and MP3 players directly from consumers for cash or store credit. Recycling of tablets will begin later in January. ecoATM kiosks provide a convenient trade-in solution that electronically and visually inspects a consumer electronics device, pays consumers immediately in cash or store credit, and automatically administers trade-in/trade-up promotions for retailers and manufacturers.

"At CES, we'll be demonstrating the capabilities of our latest generation of recycling kiosks to retailers, consumers, device manufacturers, and government officials who are interested in seeing how innovations in technology are being harnessed to solve a serious environmental problem," said Tom Tullie, Chairman and CEO, ecoATM. "Almost everyone has a collection of used portable electronics stored somewhere. At ecoATM, we believe strongly in repurposing good electronics that can be refurbished and used by consumers in other markets. We find a second life for about 75 percent of the used devices we collect at the kiosks. For the other 25 percent of devices that are truly at their end of life, we work with either R2-certified or BAN-certified recyclers who reclaim the raw materials and precious metals in an environmentally responsible way." 

Over the past year, ecoATM has built a network of kiosks, mostly in locations throughout California, with a nationwide rollout planned in 2012. Currently these kiosks accept mobile phones and MP3 players. By the end of January, ecoATM kiosks will also accept tablets such as the iPad, Kindle, Nook, and Galaxy.

ecoATM has been the recipient of numerous awards. A partial list to date includes: Popular Science's 2010 Best of What's New Award in Green Technology; Coinstar's Next Big Idea Contest; CONNECT's Most Innovative Product Award 2009 - Clean Tech category; GigaOm Earth2Tech's Green:Net 2010 Launchpad competition; IEEE Spectrum: Green Goddess Award for DEMO Spring 2011; and recognition by the United Nation's Low Carbon Leadership program as one of the leading ideas in the world for global reduction of co2 emissions. Additionally, ecoATM has been a CES Innovations Design and Engineering Awards honoree for Eco-Design and Sustainable Technologies for 2011 and 2012.

About ecoATM

Based in San Diego, Calif., ecoATM (http://www.ecoatm.com) is the first company to create an automated self-serve kiosk system that uses patented, advanced machine vision, electronic diagnostics, and artificial intelligence to evaluate and buy back used electronics directly from consumers for cash or store credit. ecoATM's eCycling stations provide a convenient trade-in solution that:

• electronically and/or visually inspect virtually any consumer electronic device;
• connects consumers real-time to broad worldwide secondary markets ensuring best pricing;
• pays consumers immediately in cash and/or store credit; and,
• automatically administers trade-in / trade-up promotions for retailers and manufacturers.

ecoATM holds both Responsible Recycling (R2) and ISO14011 certification, confirming the company's commitment to maintaining the highest standards of electronics recycling.

Media contact: Anita Giani
650.743.0870

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SOURCE ecoATM