More Cash for Trash

STERLING, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--N.E.W. Customer Service Companies, Inc. (NEW), the leading provider of extended service plans and buyer protection programs for consumer products, has announced plans to expand its ecoNEW program to manufacturers in need of a consumer-facing solution for e-waste.

The ecoNEW program is an innovative online electronics trade-in and recycling service that was launched in 2008 to offer consumers a quick, simple, environmentally friendly way to turn in their unwanted or outdated electronics for cash in the form of branded gift cards.

“We are so pleased to be able to offer this unique e-waste solution and have been privileged to work with some great retail partners this year to get the program running,” said Tony Nader, president and CEO of NEW. “It’s a win-win type of program, for both retailers and consumers, and now we’re looking to expand this offering to manufacturers directly, many of which are now faced with legal responsibilities to provide customers with eco-friendly ways to dispose of their electronics.”

Since its introduction to the retail industry at CES 2008, the ecoNEW program has realized strong growth across the retail landscape, launching with three major national retailers. Each retailer offers an online link from its respective Web site to the ecoNEW portal. From there, consumers are provided with a proprietary point-and-click interface that they can use to easily calculate the value of their trade-in item. The consumer then prints out a prepaid shipping label and mails the product to NEW. Upon receipt, products are evaluated at ecoNEW trade-in and recycling centers throughout the country, then refurbished and resold, used for parts, or completely recycled into raw materials that can be fed back into the manufacturing stream. The consumer receives a gift card for the amount of the trade-in value in the mail within three to four weeks of product receipt.

NEW works with several vendors to manage the recycling process as well as the recovery and distribution of parts and raw materials. All vendor partners are required to take the “ecoNEW pledge” as part of their formal written contract. The pledge is based on the Basel Action Network Treaty developed in Europe and recognized as the global standard for environmentally safe electronics recycling. The rigorous ecoNEW audit process includes verifying vendor documentation and ISO certifications, making sure partner companies have appropriate quality management systems and environmental management systems in place as required, and conducting physical inspections of partner equipment, facilities and processes.

Approximately 40 percent of the items received through ecoNEW get reused in whole form, refurbished and resold. Another 12 percent are salvaged for component parts, which are funneled back into NEW’s extensive network of electronics service and repair facilities. The remaining 48 percent of the items, which cannot be refurbished or used for parts, are shipped to conforming recyclers and broken down into raw materials. After being sorted and smelted, the materials are sold in raw materials markets for use in future production.

Providing best-of-breed customer service and electronics lifecycle management is critical to NEW’s industry-leading consumer electronics service offerings, and ecoNEW completes NEW’s portfolio by providing an easy, carefully controlled solution indicative of the corporate commitment to sustainable, environmentally responsible operations.

Please visit us in Booth #8153 or call Shannon Joyce at 571-451-6270 to schedule a media interview.

Press kit materials are available online at http://www.virtualpressoffice.com/public/kit/N.E.W.CustomerServiceCES09

About N.E.W. Customer Service Companies, Inc. (NEW)

NEW is the leading provider of extended service plans, buyer protection services and product support, providing coverage to more than 150 million consumers. Founded in 1983, NEW offers retailers and manufacturers innovative, customizable solutions for the delivery of customer service and support throughout the product ownership experience. NEW’s services provide revenue opportunities while building customer loyalty at every touch point – from purchase through trade-in to next purchase. Based in Sterling, Va., NEW operates 10 U.S.-based call centers and 12 Work-at-Home locations supported by a team of more than 5,500 employees. For more information, please visit NEW at www.newcorp.com or call 1-800 WHAT’S NEW (1-800-942-8763).