The Refinishing Touch Partners with UNICOR for Electronics Recycling

ALPHARETTA, Ga.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Refinishing Touch, a world renowned specialist in providing environmentally safe and sustainable on‐site furniture refinishing, upholstery and armoire modifications to public and private organizations, has launched a teaming agreement with Federal Prison Industries, Inc. (also known by its trade name UNICOR), a government corporation which provides job skills training to inmates within the Federal Bureau of Prisons, to recycle televisions as part of its e-waste program.

The Refinishing Touch will work with UNICOR to recycle electronics safely and responsibly as part of its TV recycling program, designed to complement its armoire conversion services and reduce e-waste.

According to a report from the EPA, more than three million tons of e-waste is produced each year. Televisions and computer monitors are made from valuable resources, such as precious metals, and other plastics and glass, all of which require energy to mine and manufacture. Reusing and recycling these materials from end-of-life electronics conserves natural resources and avoids air and water pollution, as well as greenhouse gas emissions that are caused by manufacturing new products.

UNICOR’s workers have expertise in handling e-waste materials, processing more than 37 million pounds of obsolete and excess electronics each year. UNICOR has a restrictive no-landfill policy for e-waste and its practices maintain the highest occupational and environmental standards. UNICOR operates with a restrictive export policy, and ensures compliance with EPA’s export policies.

UNICOR recycling factories are committed to the safety of both staff and inmates alike. As such, UNICOR is committed to ensuring compliance with all applicable health, safety, and environmental requirements in all of its factories nationwide.

In recent years, numerous organizations in both the public and private sector have commissioned The Refinishing Touch for large-scale modification of armoires in order to accommodate modern flat screen televisions. This work, for hotel chains including Hilton, Hyatt, IHG, Marriott, Wyndham and Starwood, provided the inspiration for the TV recycling initiative.

The new teaming agreement is a logical move for The Refinishing Touch, a General Services Administration (GSA) contracted vendor, as it continues its commitment to the public sector following successful projects with the White House, U.S. Congress and the U.S. Department of Justice. This commitment was recognized with the GSA's prestigious Evergreen Award, which The Refinishing Touch was awarded for exceptional services to support sustainability and environmental awareness.

Mario Insenga, CEO of The Refinishing Touch, said, “It’s important to us that we know what’s happening with the TVs we recycle. UNICOR’s export policy played a significant role in the selection process; we wanted to partner with someone we knew wouldn’t ship e-waste overseas and dispose of it the wrong way. UNICOR has a national footprint, so when we transport TVs, we can do so knowing we’re reducing emissions with the help of a local solution. The Refinishing Touch is committed to utilizing environmentally sound practices, and we’re glad to work with this organization to combat e-waste.”

Robert Tonetti, General Manager, Recycling Group for UNICOR said: "As the public becomes more aware of the need to recycle obsolete electronic materials, businesses and organizations should establish practical ways to effectively address environmental concerns. At UNICOR we meet these needs, teaming with federal and state government agencies, municipal programs, universities, private companies, recyclers, and non-profit organizations. The Refinishing Touch is a welcome addition to this community, with whom we feel a strong sense of collective responsibility to both reduce e-waste nationally and inspire others to do the same.

Mr. Tonetti concluded: "We also welcome The Refinishing Touch as the first furniture refurbishment company that we have teamed with, reflecting the vision and leadership of Mario and his team, and we’re proud to assist them in their mission to bring sustainable electronics recycling practices to their clients including those in the hospitality industry.”

For more information about UNICOR and its practices, please visit www.unicor.gov.

About The Refinishing Touch

The Refinishing Touch® is a world leader in on‐site environmentally safe and sustainable furniture refinishing, reupholstering, armoire modification, and EPA and OSHA TV recycling for private and public organizations. Through its Touch Textiles division, it provides eco-friendly indoor and outdoor fabrics that complement its portfolio of materials, such as granite and quartz, to offer a one-stop service to its clients.

To date, the company has transformed over 1.5 million rooms of furniture, preventing the equivalent of approximately two million hardwood trees from being sent to landfill.

With clients in the government, hospitality and university sectors, The Refinishing Touch enables environmental and sustainability best practices while reducing spending by up to 80%.

Long term clients include: The White House, The Kennedy Center for Performing Arts, US Department of Justice, US Congress, US Department of Defense, US Military and Coast Guard, Hyatt, Marriott, Wyndham, Hilton, IHG and Starwood plus a number of top universities. The company was founded in 1977 and is headquartered in Alpharetta, Georgia.

The Refinishing Touch has been recognized by the US General Services Administration with its Evergreen Award for innovative environmentally friendly practices.