ERI to open new recycling operation in the USA

United States – Electronic Recyclers International (ERI) is to open a regional operations centre at a former Alcoa aluminium smelting plant in Badin, North Carolina.

The company is the first tenant at the 65 000 square metre site vacated by the metal processor, which was forced by economic factors to close the plant in 2007.

ERI Chairman John Shegerian said the company operates six other US locations, in California, Washington, Colorado, Indianapolis, Massachusetts and Texas. These recycle 70 000 tonnes of electronic products each year, including computers, printers and mobile phones.

‘There is incredible growth in the electronic waste industry, and we are excited about expanding into North Carolina,’ Mr Shegerian said.

ERI plans to hire 20 to 30 employees ready for start-up this summer. It will operate from a temporary site nearby until a permanent 15 000 square metre facility is ready in January, he added.

Alcoa officials have committed US$5 million to make improvements at the site, matching ERI’s own investment.