The 2024 Electronics Sustainability Summit ran October 22–24 in Austin, Texas at the Hyatt Regency Austin. Previously known as the E-Reuse conference, this event was acquired by SERI in early 2024 and rebranded as the Electronics Sustainability Summit.
“I didn’t know what to expect going into this event,” said Adam Shine, president of Sunnking. “But it was done well. The biggest takeaway for me was educational in nature, it was a great learning experience with a lot of thought leadership.”
The eSummit brought together individuals and companies across the full electronics lifecycle including manufacturers, product designers, retailers, those who work in repair and refurbishment, policymakers, academics, and recyclers.
“I felt that the sessions where we could hear from manufacturers and government officials were some of the most informative,” said Craig Boswell, president of HOBI International, Inc. “These types of conferences provide a great cross section of the industry, from beginning of life and product design to end of life and recycling; we had all those subject matters covered at the conference.”
Tribute to Billy Johnson
Billy Johnson, a longtime ReMA staff member and industry pillar who passed away Sept. 28, was recognized at the eSummit for his commitment to the industry with the Jim Lynch Hall of Fame Award. Shine accepted the award on Billy’s behalf.
“The award was truly well deserved,” Boswell said. “There may be some people who are new to the industry who aren’t as familiar with Billy’s work and achievements. So, recognizing him in this way, in the first year of the conference, helped shine a light on the critical impact he made and how he was always working behind the scenes for our industry.”
Learning Across the Industry
The eSummit provided attendees with many opportunities to learn about the latest information in the electronics reuse industry not only from a recycling perspective, but also a regulatory and manufacturing perspective.
“Attending these conferences are important for networking,” Shine said. “I brought an employee who works in the sustainability space, and it was a great chance for her to learn and grow in her career. These shows aren’t just for business owners or leaders, but for employees throughout an organization who may work in sustainability, or compliance, or another related sector of the industry.”
ReMA at the eSummit
The Recycled Materials Association (ReMA) had a clear presence at the event. ReMA members including Boswell and Shine served as speakers on educational panels, and Natalie Messer Betts, ReMA’s assistant vice president of sustainability, spoke on a panel about battery recycling in the age of electronics.
“While there are many different shows related to electronics there is no home for IT Asset Disposition (ITAD) and electronics recyclers year-round other than ReMA,” Shine said. “ReMA is the voice of the industry and it’s important for people to understand not only the impact ReMA has on the industry but also what the association is working on to improve recycled materials businesses and operations.”
These conferences give ReMA members the opportunity to interact and partner with individuals from influential groups whether it’s the EPA, manufacturers, retailers, academia, or other nonprofit organizations.
“There’s going to be a lot changing this next year for the electronics industry, especially with the new Basel regulations and international requirements for recycled electronics,” Shine said. “Getting the chance to have face time with policymakers and leaders was important, and I came away with a lot of useful information for my business and the industry.”
Photo Courtesy of SERI.
