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Explore how the ‘Done with It’ pilot, backed by FedEx, spearheads lithium-ion battery recycling from old gadgets, paving the way for a sustainable future.

In a concerted effort to tackle the burgeoning issue of electronic waste (e-waste), Pyxera Global and Terra have launched the “Done with It” pilot program, with the American Battery Technology Company (ABTC) at the helm of recycling operations. This initiative, buoyed by the backing of FedEx, is set to recycle lithium-ion batteries from discarded electronics, a significant step towards a more sustainable logistics sector. 

The program invites U.S. residents to donate their outdated laptops and tablets, which will undergo a process to erase their internal memory before being assessed for repair or recycling. The batteries from these devices are earmarked for ABTC's facility in Nevada, where they will be stripped of metal materials for reuse, especially in electric vehicle batteries.

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FedEx and Pyxera Global's collaboration isn't new; they have previously engaged in several reverse logistics projects, underscoring their shared vision of a circular economy. Through the “Done with It” mail-in recycling program, which is an established initiative of The Electronics Reuse and Recycling Alliance (TERRA), they aim to provide a robust collection service for e-waste.

The pilot program, which runs from August 23 to December 15, 2023, is orchestrated to test the waters on the feasibility of recovering used electronics at a commercial scale. The primary focus is on salvaging critical components and materials from consumer laptops and tablets before they are relegated to the waste pile.

Once collected, the electronic devices are directed to a secure FedEx facility located in middle Tennessee, before their batteries are transported to ABTC's recycling center in Nevada.

ABTC, a Nevada-based company, recently commenced operations at its commercial-scale lithium-ion battery recycling facility. This enterprise underscores a paradigm shift in viewing end-of-life batteries as valuable resources rather than waste. With a hydrometallurgical process, ABTC extracts essential battery materials, championing a sustainable and ethical sourcing of these critical materials. The process not only curtails the environmental footprint but also reduces the reliance on conventional mining methods, heralding a new era of resource recovery and recycling.

As the tide of e-waste continues to swell, initiatives like the “Done with It” pilot program are imperative in steering the logistics and technology sectors towards a circular economy. By harnessing the untapped potential of e-waste, especially lithium-ion batteries, stakeholders can significantly cut down the environmental cost of electronic gadgets and propel the industry towards a sustainable future.

Samira is an Electronics and Communications Engineer by profession, but deep inside, her heart is a nomad! She's a state champion debater, a public speaker, a scriptwriter, a theater actress, but most importantly — A GREEN CITIZEN! She thinks of herself as a storyteller who thrives on enjoying the life at fullest and telling everyone the tales of life.

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