News

Recycling kiosk gears up for iPhone 5 trades

September 17, 2012

San Diego-based ecoATM today announced plans to expand into malls nationwide in time to help consumers wanting to trade up to the new iPhone 5, according to a company announcement. By the end of the year, ecoATM plans to have installed close to 300 kiosks.

In a separate announcement also issued today, the National Science Foundation (NSF) focused on the fact that ecoATM's advanced technologies were enabled by Phase I and II Small Business Innovation Research grants.

"There are going to be millions of people buying the new iPhone 5. When they do, we want there to be an ecoATM nearby for them to cash in or recycle their old phones," said Tom Tullie, chairman and CEO of ecoATM. "Our ecoATM kiosks recognize thousands of different devices, and we take them in any condition, even if they're broken or don't work."

Tullie said ecoATM pays more on average than other mail-in options, up to $250 for certain phones, which he said is "enough to pay for your new iPhone 5."

Read more about kiosk manufacturers.