Samsung has teamed up with uBreakiFix to make electronics recycling more accessible. Customers looking to responsibly recycle used devices through the Korean company’s e-waste recycling program can now drop off the items at any of uBreakiFix’s 550+ US locations.
The Orlando, Florida-based tech repair brand accepts all kinds of small electronics of any brand, make, or model. You can bring most of your old, outdated, or unwanted everyday tech devices for recycling at your nearest uBreakiFix store. It accepts devices ranging from smartphones, game consoles, VR headsets, tablets, computers, printers, and everything in between. You can find a list of acceptable and unacceptable devices here.
Professional repair technicians at the company will process the devices and route them to a Samsung-authorized recycling partner. Those devices will then be refurbished or processed into raw commodities for future reuse.
“At uBreakiFix, we pride ourselves on diverting e-waste simply by making device repair significantly more convenient and cost-effective than replacement,” said Justin Wetherill, President and Co-Founder of uBreakiFix. “We’re excited to take that effort a step further by making device recycling equally convenient with the support of our partners at Samsung.”
Founded in 2009, uBreakiFix has completed more than 9 million repairs to date. In 2016, Google roped in the company as the exclusive walk-in repair partner for Pixel devices, providing it with OEM parts for replacements. The company then joined hands with Samsung in 2018, offering same-day, in-person support for Galaxy customers across the US.
Nashville, Tennessee-based electronics and jewelry insurance company Asurion acquired uBreakiFix in August 2019. The company continues to maintain the existing leadership team and franchise model though. It recently launched the We Come to You program offering mobile repair services at your doorstep, or any convenient location.
Samsung and uBreakiFix extend their partnership to launch an electronics recycling program
Samsung has had a formal relationship with uBreakiFix since 2018 when it named the tech repair brand an authorized service provider for Galaxy smartphones. The two companies also collaborated earlier this year to provide free repair services to frontline healthcare workers.
The program ran from April 20 through June 30, 2020. It provided more than 17,000 first responders and healthcare professionals on the frontline in the fight against COVID-19 with free repair services for their Samsung Galaxy smartphones.
Samsung and uBreakiFix are now joining hands once again for another noble cause – recycling of unwanted electronics. The Korean giant has been a strong supporter of extended producer responsibility. It publicly supports requirements that would ban the export of unprocessed e-waste to developing locations.
The company has also pledged to reduce and eventually remove plastic from all its products and packaging materials. It wants to make all its manufacturing processes environment-friendly. Underwriters Laboratories (UL) recently awarded Samsung Display the highest certification level for its efforts to produce zero industrial waste.
“At Samsung, we take responsibility for electronics recycling and reuse that reduces the impact on the environment,” said Ramon Gregory, SVP Samsung Care. “By committing to use e-Stewards certified recyclers, consumers can rest assured that their products will be safely and properly recycled.”