Tailored solutions for electronics distributor returns streams

We recognise that electronics distributors manage complex streams of surplus material, ranging from in-warranty returns to those associated with WEEE Directive compliance. Sims Recycling Solutions has many years experience developing systems and services to accommodate all types of surplus material streams, including:

Each of these streams contains a different proportion of reusable and waste equipment.

The results of these testing and screening activities help you make value enhancing decisions concerning how best to disposition returns and structure your procurement policies. 

For instance, when the discount available for bought-out-guaranty is compared with the returns rate, no-fault found rate and the second user market value, it may make sense to negotiate such a deal and sell the returns for cash, rather than shipping warranty returns back to the vendor.

Our ability to perform screening, testing and recycling activities at multiple sites around the world, together with our bespoke process control systems allow the optimal processing of your surplus equipment streams in terms of value, control and environmental stewardship.

In addition to Europe, Sims Recycling Solutions has operations in North America, Asia and Australasia and a growing range of partnerships in other continents, providing you with a global network or specialist electronic equipment returns stream services.

Sims Recycling Solutions offers a range of options for your returns streams including:

• Whole equipment sales – usually the best value recovery is generated by selling equipment whole and tested-working for its original purpose. Sims Recycling Solutions has sales offices in the UK, Australia and the USA responsible for promoting reusable equipment to thousands of potential buyers, yielding the best return possible.
• Component recovery – where equipment is too old, sometimes components can be recovered for sale tested-working.  We recover all types of component parts for this purpose, right down to individual IC’s.  Component recovery can often yield a better return for your business than the final option, which is material recovery.
• Materials recycling – Where none of the above options are possible or allowed, equipment is mechanically recycled to produce commodity materials such as plastics, ferrous, non-ferrous and precious metals which are used in the production of new products.  Each of our recycling centres has its own sales capabilities for material commodities, however, all sales to smelters are handled under centrally negotiated contracts. With millions of tonnes traded each year, we can negotiate favourable terms on your behalf.

Choosing Sims Recycling Solutions as your electronics returns streams supplier can help reduce the environmental impact of your returns management process:

• With over 30 Sims Recycling Solutions WEEE processing centres worldwide, plus a further 30 partner locations, your equipment can be assessed close to the point of origin, minimising post-use-cycle movements and therefore carbon emissions.
• Our re-use options are approximately 3 times better for the environment than recycling electronics equipment.
• Typically 60-90% of material assessed for our clients gets recycled into established commodity grades right at the facility where the assessment is performed, and only equipment with established reuse potential may require further movements. Using recycled materials in manufacturing is far less energy intensive than using virgin materials.