eLoop Offers Flat Screen Recycling Through Robotics Application
October 4, 2022
Electronics recycler eLoop has announced it can offer the industry a safer and more efficient process to recover valuable commodities found inside end-of-life (EOL) flat-panel television and monitors (sometimes known as Flat Panel Displays or FPDs). By using a fully automated and artificial intelligence-based robotic processing system, the eLoop FPD Pro Technology enhances safety and efficiency while also increasing the volume being processed.
Located in eLoop’s State College, Pa., facility, the FPD Pro also provides a safer solution for workers and the environment, as it can securely contain hazardous materials found in FPDs. eLoop has partnered with European-based FPD Recycling to become the first electronic waste recycler in the U.S. to implement the FPD Pro. The company estimates the system can process nearly 45 million television sets sold in the U.S. annually when it comes time for them to be recycled. Because flat-panel displays typically have a shorter lifespan than previous models, end-of-life use continues to build, including 220 million units sold globally in 2016.
“Because of the hazardous elements involved and the extensive manual labor required, the current method of disassembling FPDs for recycling purposes is inefficient, costly and potentially harmful to the worker,” said Ned Eldgride, CEO and founder of eLoop. “Improved productivity with the FPD Pro will allow us to provide this low-cost solution to recyclers so that they no longer have to expose their workers to hazardous elements while manually disassembling flat screens.”
The use of robotics, AI, industrial vision and flexible automation helps the FPD Pro to reduce processing time. Because the system is automated and securely enclosed, workers are not exposed to harmful substances such as mercury, cadmium, lead, which can be found in the LCD glass of newer screens.
“Working manually, a worker can disassemble approximately four flat screens in an hour and is at risk of mercury exposure,” said Eldridge. “The FPD Pro will safely open up to 90 FPDs per hour. This is a game-changing breakthrough.”
Through the new automated process, eLoop said it can more efficiently recycle FPDs so additional clean recoverable components can make their way into the circular economy, and be kept out of landfills. The company is aiming to be the leading processor for FPDs in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York and Maryland.
“eLoop continues to be a leader by adopting cutting-edge robotics and artificial intelligence to recycle FPDs safely and efficiently,” said Paudy O’Brien, CEO of FPD Recycling. “We are excited to partner with eLoop to demonstrate how to marry state-of-the-art technology with traditional electronics recycling. Our vision is that every used FPD becomes a valuable commodity rather than hazardous waste and I am delighted to see eLoop have the same vision.”
eLoop said its choice for the location of the FPD Pro has some historical significance to it. The machine will be housed in the former location of Corning Inc. Specialty Glass factory, which for decades produced cathode ray tubes for television sets.
“It’s a building that helped produce many of the country’s CRT television sets,” Eldridge said, “and now it’s going to harvest components and commodities to enhance the circular economy and support the right to repair movement and thus support local SME business growth.”
For more details on eLoop and its technologies, visit its website here.
