Image Microsystems wins Reverse Logistics Award

Filed in archive Green supply chain on June 24, 2010

According to Market Wire, Image Microsystems - a provider of technology restoration, reverse logistics and e-waste products - has announced recently that they have won the Interlog Reverse Logistics Implementation Award presented during the Interlog Summer Service Parts Supply Chain and Reverse Logistics Conference recently held in San Diego.

For the first time in its twelve-year history, Interlog Summer hosted the Service Supply Chain Awards. Nominations were solicited for companies and individuals who have demonstrated innovation, leadership, and remarkable customer support during the past few challenging years. Judging was conducted by members of the Interlog Summer 2010 Advisory Board, which includes representatives from Nikon Precision, Durst Phototechnik AG North America, Glass House Technologies, Hewlett-Packard, and Apple, Inc.

Patent pending MicroStrate(TM), a product of this company, is a versatile material made completely of recycled e-waste plastic. Currently, most e-waste ends up in China or other developing countries. There it is improperly handled, releasing constant plumes of toxic pollution.

In the US, many e-waste recyclers that claim to ethically recycle, actually ship their low-value e-waste to developing countries. Even those few US recyclers that do ethically recycle have a problem with the dirty e-waste plastic found in spent printer cartridges and computers, printers, and consumer electronics products. This plastic generally has no down-stream value, and as a result ends up in landfills.

e-Waste plastic contains flame retardants and UV inhibitors, making it hazardous and literally non-biodegradable. Previous recycling technology innovation has been focused on salvaging metals for re-use. Little attention has been paid to the problem of e-waste plastic -- until now. The proprietary technology developed by Image Microsystems allows this dirty material to be compounded and pressed into a useable material -- MicroStrate(TM) -- for signage, traffic markers, and other outdoor products. No other reverse logistics provider has this type of technology currently in use.