It has been a chaotic but rewarding week as our new office is pretty much up and running albeit a few tweaks to be made here and there. Furthermore, with the rampant spreading of flu, colds, and general sickness our staff has taken it’s fair share of casualties so make sure all you out there are taking your vitamins and getting your 8 hours of sleep!

Reported last night, news website examiner.com posted a great article summarizing our nation’s major e waste issues, referencing great back links to our current national (or lack of) policy, state’s attempts to enforce local legislation, and even frontline video reports, a must see. Focusing specifically on the Bay Area and San Francisco, the author continues to follow through where most consumers stop caring (out of sight out of mind), calling out recycling companies’ shady exportation of electronic waste.

Trade2save is happy to see that bigger name news companies such as the examiner are directing their focus on e waste. This is a great summary article that highlights the e waste issue quickly and to the point but lacks further depth. We believe this is still not enough coverage but at least is a start that is approachable by most average readers. The article does do a good job of emphasizing the need to start focusing on creating electronics that are easier to reuse, refurbish and recycle. Naturally trade2save is with this argument for extended life span as with longer use comes less waste. Regardless of future products, just make sure to think twice this holiday season before you buy that new 24″ monitor to replace your 19″. Enjoy the weekend!!

The bill is known as “The Electronic Device Recycling Research and Development Act,” or, “S.1397” and awaits consideration from US Senate. The bill outlines our rapidly growing problem of electronic production and e waste growth, along with the lack of public knowledge regarding the issue. The bill appears to focus on funding for research on  the safest, most efficient way to recycle current e-waste and how to curb the future production of more.

Trade2save is ecstatic at the news of a potential national e waste policy. As one of the largest consumer/producer bases of electronic gadgets, the U.S is embarrassingly behind in e-waste management, lacking a national policy or the ratification of the “Basel Convention,” a regulatory measure to combat the exportation of hazardous waste (including e waste) to other countries. Most pertinent to trade2save’s goal and business, the bill states a goal to get electronic producers/consumers to”reconsider product design and assembly to facilitate and improve refurbishment, reuse, and recycling.”

While we here at trade2save of course are behind this 100%, the bill still has a long way to go before it’s actually passed. Furthermore, the bill only allocates money to researching e-waste problems and has yet to directly control companies’ and consumers’ e-waste practices. Hopefully with the passing of this bill, our government will open the door to more r&d on e-waste, increase public awareness, and begin creating actual legislation for consumer action. One way or another, the consumer can, regardless of any bill, demand more  green products, recycle and resell old electronics, and buy pre-owned, so to all our readers, never forget your own power!

Please forgive the absence of activity the past few days as trade2save has officially moved into a new office! Trade2save apologizes if we’ve been difficult to reach but our computers are set up, our power and internet is good to go, our inventory stocked, and of course our fridge plugged in and filled (most important!)

The past two days have been chaotic but our readers can be assured that things shall carry on as normal, albeit from a bigger, better location! For the time being we shall leave you all with warm thanks for the support you’ve given us so far that has encouraged trade2save’s expansion as we continue to unload our pre owned treasure chest

-the trade2save team

The study chose to cite California as it’s example of a flat, enforced fee charged to consumers when recycle electronics. Not only does this fee ensure the proper and safe disposal of the e waste by avoiding shady middle man companies (who often export e waste to developing nations) but the enforced charge makes consumers less eager to toss electronics at a whim. In the current economic situation, consumers are getting more spend conscious and this extra recycling fee is just the nudge consumers need to realize that tossing their last generation ipod for a slightly newer model may actually not be worth it.

The study also cited staggering statistics on the wastefulness of global consumers, noting that Americans buy a new cell phone every 18 months and businesses replace entire fleets of PCs every 4 years. By creating such an immediate demand for new products, consumers effectively instigate the “Osborne Effect,” in which the anticipation for new products actually hurts current product and manufacturer sales. Stanford’s Erica Plambeck argues that by extending lifespan and reducing the demand for arbitrary new products (Woo! 3 megapixel phone instead of 2!), electronics “manufacturers are in less of a rush to introduce new products. Consumers anticipate using a product for longer, and so are willing to pay more for it. Because manufacturers have additional development time, they can make larger leaps in both product capabilities and quality, so the new products coming out are substantially better than the previous generation.”

This truly is a win win scenario for all parties involved, so as usual we here at trade2save hope this research gets the recognition it deserves from both consumers and manufacturers! By extending lifespans of electronics and buying/selling/trading pre-owned we can all do our part to reduce e waste and save ourselves some hard earned cash during this economic situation, which hopefully will permanently change our wasteful habits.

Check out a good summary article by greenbang.com !

Today, online e- gadget blog “engadget” released a fantastic article regarding recycling e waste.

While detailing the engadget’s own absurdly large collection of gadgets accumulated from years of electronics reviews, the article then continues to briefly mention the problem of e waste and detail the recycling policies of many electronic manufacturers’ recycling policies, costs, and respective url links.

We here at trade2save are once again genuinely excited to see the positive example set by large scale electronics websites such as engadget that have a large base of followers. Not only will this article hopefully improve consumer awareness to the importance of electronic recycling, but also will give the tools and resources for consumers to research proper electronic disposal. For those savvier on the global e waste problem, this article serves as an excellent way to track big name electronics companies’ e waste policies.

However, once again Trade2save really must emphasize the importance of buying/selling/trading your used electronics! “engadget” only briefly mentioned this option. Just by looking at the reader comments, many of which asking engadget for their used electronics, it’s obvious that one person’s e-waste is another’s e-treasure.  The constant demand for new products keeps this flow of e waste up, so never forget the option of re-selling your electronics before they become obsolete.

After a brief break our blog is back to keep our readers updated on e waste news from around the globe.

Today, techie news website”PC World” reported that the community organized “eday” in New Zealand may have fallen subject to corrupt e waste recycling companies.  According to PC World’s article, 3rd party e waste company CRTNZ which is responsible for the safe recycling of e waste collected on eday,  is undergoing investigation regarding their handling and shipping of electronic waste to reputable recycling/re-using centers. While the whole investigation has been kept relatively mum on account of the potential bad publicity for both the company and eday representatives, it has been suggested that CTNZ may have breahed e waste regulations by branding e waste as reusable/resellable products.

While eday is likely to continue in New Zealand, the bad publicity could cause an overall drop in participants, public approval, and sponsorship. This potentially a huge problem for New Zelanders as eday is currently the only way for citizens to properly dispose of electronics (966 tons were dropped off last year alone).

The trade2save team is both thrilled to see that smaller countries such as New Zealand are making government and community initiatives to increase public awareness to e waste, but are also very frustrated to see such controversial news already tarnishing a good program. Internationally people need more options to recycle electronics as opposed to just the dump. Regardless of community/gov programs, the ability to re sell and extend the life of used electronics always exists! Hopefully our cry for consumers to buy/sell/trade pre owned electronics will be realized globally, as the garbage is never the place for old electronics (plus you’ll make some cash!)

            The American economy is in the slumps and our culture of mass consumerism is being called into question both fiscally and morally. Originally posted in 2007, an extremely interesting and provocative lecture was held by McAlvany International Collectors Associates (ICA) economists, predicting the very economic declines and issues our nation is currently facing. Many of these very predictions seem to point to the growth of the pre owned sector in lieu of the current American economic situation. While it is always easy in hindsight to say these current recession trends were to be expected, more attention is now rightfully being given to the dramatic increase of gray market exchanges of used goods.

Perhaps the most relevant section of the lecture to trade2save.com concerns the issues of mass overproduction by China and other Asian exporters and the overconsumption by the US, specifically in the sector of consumer electronics. Fueled by economic bubbles created with the intent to encourage unsustainable amounts of production and purchases, a culture of spending and waste became the norm within the United States. Now, following the “.com” and housing market busts, millions of jobs have been outsourced, our purchasing power/currency is diminished, and our amount of “stuff” (including waste) and debt is overflowing.

Ironically it has been America’s spending power and over consumption that has kept its economy afloat over the past few years. With inflation and our weakening currency, saving money is far less profitable due to the dollar’s steady decline in value.  However, now with debt finally catching up to consumers and the ability to purchase jeopardized, Americans are now becoming more frugal and conscientious in their spending and demand for new products. While most would be right to see these economic changes as negative, this could also be the transformation in buying discourse and priority that the U.S needs to reduce personal and national debt. 

Just as trade2save.com encourages the buying, selling, and trading market for electronics, multiple indicators point to growth of buy/sell/trade markets and classifieds. Many business journals are reporting bulk consumer good superstores like “Sam’s Club” and “Costco” partnering with used electronics companies such as EcoNew.com and gazelle.com, partnerships that were unthinkable until recent events. As the spending power of the average American continues to fall, trends such as extended product use/life and buy/sell/trade expansion mark a major shift from the traditional market approaches by electronics companies.

As revenues from all consumer goods have fallen, the electronics industry took an especially hard hit, dropping as much as 50% in certain sectors. In a recent article, Electronics website and specialist “Electronics Design, Strategy, News,” or EDN, cited the major decrease in demand for new electronics is due to the lack of disposable income by consumers, a relatively new issue for the electronics market. EDN notes that “This downturn has a very different dynamic than anything that the electronics industry has seen before… Previous downturns were caused by too much capacity. This one…is caused by a steep and sudden drop in demand.” (Hamburt, 2009) With the entire population being affected by the recession, electronics companies are now forced to create new strategies to cope with “entire markets undergoing fundamental changes” (Hamburt, 2009). As electronics producers face lower demand for new products the pre owned market is flourishing, marking a major opportunity to focus on used electronics.

This growth of the buy/sell/trade gray market, specifically in the domain of used electronics, isn’t going unnoticed by consumers, many of whom are now purchasing from liquidated tech companies. With journals such as “U.S. News and World Report” publishing advice recommending the purchase of used electronics, its little surprise that electronics producers are witnessing buy/sell/trade exchanges taking a chunk of the electronics market. With many corporations going under, many of their electronic gadgets are being sold to liaison companies which refurbish and resell to businesses and individuals.

Liquid Technology Inc. is just one of many companies which, similar to trade2save, focuses on used electronics. According to economic journal “www.bloomberg.com,” the number of businesses filing for bankruptcy increased 42% in 2008, making failed companies’ electronics a major source for inexpensive technology. New businesses and individuals alike are all taking advantage of the situation, as “the fire sales have drawn customers that don’t normally buy used equipment…They’re finding they can still get brand-name equipment, such as computers from Round Rock, Texas- based Dell and Hewlett-Packard Co. or networking products from Cisco, at much lower prices.” (Hoffmann, 2008)

Buy/sell/trade gray market expansion is not just limited to electronic gadgets, as many forms of pre-owned home entertainment are gaining momentum and following the trend. With consumers opting to stay in and save money from costly outings, home entertainment such as movies (DVD, blu-ray) and video games are in high demand on the buy/sell/trade market. With companies such as GameStop making $2 billion on selling pre-owned games, nearly a third of GameStop’s revenue, it is clear that buying, selling, and trading xbox 360, playstation 3, Nintendo DS, and Wii titles is major market. Video game news site www.gamasutra.com reports that “numbers on resales are bound to head upward… as gamers — like everyone else — look to save a few bucks during the deepening recession” (Hyman, 2008).  According to a recent survey of gamers, 1 in 4 gamers who had previously never purchased pre owned video games or game consoles planned to start in the next year.  Furthermore, around 49 million gamers had purchased and 26 million gamers had sold a pre owned video game within the last year.

Perhaps even more telling is the rapid expansion of internet classifieds sites like “Craigslist,” which serve as popular channels for buy/sell/trade exchanges. According to Small Business Labs, in just the past year Craigslist.org showed a 105% year-over-year percent change in search prevalence, overcoming both “myspace.com” and “facebook.com.” This is attributed as a direct reflection of consumers’ increased interest in buying and selling used goods in order to save/make money during these harder financial times. Ranging from anything from laptops to last year’s iphone 3G, craigslist and classified represent a local effort to profit from what previously may have been stored in the garage or tossed.

 Along with the success of craigslist and buy/sell/trade markets, multiple other classified sites have been launched and are already expanding quickly such as ebay’s “kajiji” and oodle. As new, must have electronics continue to be released, these exchanges of used smart phones, PS3 slims, etc. still allow a cash strapped consumer to get the hottest tech gear, albeit at a lower price. Time magazine noted the fierce competition for online classified supremacy, as the once considered “stagnant sector” of online classifieds has grown 35% in the past year alone, totaling to a $15 billion market.

            With such buy/sell/trade  practices on a dramatic rise, it is a strong implication that companies such as trade2save, which specialize in the used/refurbished market, will play a major role in the future of American consumption habits. Trade2save loves our gadgets as much as the rest of the world, and while there will always be a demand for new, innovative products, hopefully we all as consumers can still manage to purchase the products we want (even if used) while selling our unwanted products for others to enjoy as well (and make some pocket cash!) While trade2save strives to encourage the moral fiber of such buy/sell/trade exchanges because of their huge environmental and humanitarian implications, the average consumer will profit regardless of their intent and can rest assured that they are both saving some green while going green.

References:

Hamilton, Anita. “Taking Aim at Craigslist - TIME.” Breaking News, Analysis, Politics, Blogs, News Photos, Video, Tech Reviews - TIME.com. 18 June 2008. Web. 15 Oct. 2009. <http://www.time.com/time/business/article/0,8599,1814457,00.html>.

Harbert, Tam. “Electronics companies brace for a long, hard recession.” Electronics Design, Strategy, News. 10 Mar. 2009. Web. 14 Oct. 2009. <http://www.edn.com/article/CA6643065.html>.

Hoffmann, Katie. “Cisco, Dell Sales at Risk as Slump Fuels Gray Market.” Bloomberg.com. 5 Dec. 2008. Web. 15 Oct. 2009. <http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601204&sid=ag5pxFL3YpFY>.

Hyman, Paul. “As Recession Deepens, Used Games Get More Painful.” Gamasutra. Think Services, 8 Dec. 2008. Web. 15 Oct. 2009. <http://www.gamasutra.com/view/feature/3872/as_recession_deepens_used_games_.php>.

King, Steve. “Craigslist Continues Strong Growth.” Small Business Labs. 23 Mar. 2009. Web. 14 Oct. 2009. <http://genylabs.typepad.com/small_biz_labs/2009/03/craigslist-continues-strong-growth.html>.

Lagesse, David. “Used Electronics Can Make Good Buys.” U.S News & World Report. 19 Feb. 2008. Web. 15 Oct. 2009. <http://images.usnews.com/money/business-economy/technology/articles/2008/02/19/used-electronics-can-make-good-buys.html>.

Today (Monday, Oct 19) marks the first day of “Break the Silence in Congo” week, a week dedicated to spreading awareness about one the bloodiest conflicts our planet has ever seen. Not only has this resource war claimed more than 5 million lives but also is the cause of starvation, rape, and uprooting of millions more in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Fought by  warlords, militias, and “government” forces and fueled by controversial, international demand for the DRC’s valuable resource mines, this war is potentially the most overlooked bloodbath of our era.

With many of the resources from the DRC used in consumer electronics (gold, copper, coltan, etc.) we here at trade2save think it’s all our responsibility as consumers to know more about the true costs behind our new HDTVs, iphones, PS3s, etc.  Please keep an eye open for any events going on in your area on raising awareness for the war in the Congo and show your support!

http://www.congoweek.org/english/

With that, here is an excellent video from journeyman pictures summarizing the horrible situation in the congo and the global lust for resources that fuels it.