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Welcome to The Circular Future podcast.
In this episode, Stephanie McClarty, head of sustainability at Quantum Lifecycle Partners, interviews Gary Diamond, president of Quantum Lifecycle Partners, about the evolution of the reuse and recycling of electronics. They discuss the history of the e-waste industry, government interventions and stewardship programs, the changing types of e-waste material, and future trends in the industry. They also explore the importance of customer expectations, sustainability reporting, and the infusion of technology into the business. The episode concludes with a discussion on clarifying one's purpose and key stakeholders.
Takeaways
The e-waste industry has evolved significantly since its inception in the mid-1970s, with government interventions and regulations playing a crucial role in managing the flow of e-waste.
The types of e-waste material have shifted over time, with a decrease in old cathode ray tube (CRT) TVs and an increase in more complex electronics with embedded batteries.
The future of the industry will involve lightweighting of electronics, increased focus on refurbishment and repair, and the need to handle new types of electronic waste that have yet to be imagined.
Customer expectations are changing, with a greater emphasis on sustainability reporting and a desire to understand the environmental impact of their electronics.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Background
01:15 Evolution of the E-Waste Industry
02:14 Gary Diamond's Journey in the Industry
05:03 Government Interventions and Stewardship Programs
06:22 Changes in Stewardship Programs
09:41 Future Trends in E-Waste Material
11:08 Lightweighting and Changing Material Composition
14:29 Customer Expectations and Sustainability Reporting
17:23 Infusing Technology into the Business
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Want to be a guest on The Circular Future podcast? Email Sanjay Trivedi at strivedi@quantumlifecycle.com
