Feb 16- EcoATM Gets Grant to Set Up Electronic Recycling Kiosks

Kiosk manufacturer, Coinstar, has backed a new eco-friendly venture called ecoATM which provides the convenience and incentives necessary to increase e-waste recycling. In the first round of funding, ecoATM has already raised 14.4 million dollars, making it very likely that the handful of kiosks that exist today will expand in the near future.

Such innovations as these kiosks have the potential to help keep toxic substances out of landfills and natural environments. The ecoATMs collect a variety of small consumer electronics including, but not limited to: cell phones, mp3 players, cameras, and their respective batteries and chargers. After plugging into the device, the ecoATM scans the gadget for malfunctions and does a visual inspection to determine a price for the product. The consumer can them cash out, or donate the money to charity, and the product is sent to a recycling center.

Currently, only a few locations exist, many which reside is Southern California. A complete list of their locations can be found on their website.

To watch how ecoATMs work, view the video here.