It (Literally) Pays to Recycle Your E-Waste

Sometimes being environmentally responsible can put a different kind of green in your pocket. That’s exactly what ecoATM aims to do. But there's a catch – you’ve got to hand over a cell phone, digital camera or another ecoATM-accepted electronic device for recycling.

The company launched last September with the goal of revolutionizing the life cycle of consumer electronics. At their automated e-cycling stations, you can exchange unwanted electronic devices for a cash reward.

EcoATM, which is headquartered in San Diego, offers eight e-cycling kiosks, six in California and the remaining two in the Midwest. The plan is to expand nationally by the end of this year, with the possibility of growing internationally thereafter.

This month, the company is being honored with the International Electronics Recycling Conference & Expo Innovative Product of the Year Award, in recognition of the fact that their service collects more devices than other e-waste programs.

--Sarah A. Henderson