Here at Mainstream Global, we see a growing need for companies to partner with a trusted reverse logistics expert to process and resell their retired IT assets.

We work closely with multinational electronic companies, offering a wealth of sustainable supply chain solutions, from logistics services including transportation to testing, screening, and warehousing in the United States and throughout Latin America.

IT asset remarketing is a complex endeavor that can yield substantial financial benefits. This brand-new video illustrates how we bring our commitment to you and your organization into the real world to produce tangible, positive results for our clients.

Mainstream Global Overview from Mainstream Global on Vimeo.

What Mainstream offers

Mainstream Global offers clients a wide range of logistics services. We are proud to provide transportation services, asset auditing, reporting, and secure warehousing.

Companies that seek high-volume testing and screening of IT assets can rest assured that their off-lease, customer returns and excess inventories are in capable hands, Mainstream Global has them covered. And if you need someplace to safely store those assets, we have your back there, too. We offer secure warehousing not only in the United States, but also throughout Latin America, including owned and operated facilities in Chile, Argentina, Colombia, Peru, and Brazil.

How Mainstream goes above and beyond

Mainstream Global offers our IT asset remarketing clients a unique opportunity. We aren’t only capable of transporting, processing, screening, and testing your IT products — we can also sell. Many of our competitors do not offer that crucial, final part of the equation. This becomes an issue since processing is for many of our clients only part of the solution that they need to meet their organization’s goals.

The fact that we’re capable of processing high volumes of IT assets, acquiring those assets, and then reselling them for their intended use on a global scale is what sets us apart from the pack.

Mainstream’s dedication to safety

• Mainstream Global is the only company in Latin America that can offer our clients complete peace of mind. We have individuals and teams in place specifically to ensure that procedures and processes are followed. Our R2-certifications push us to the next level of safety and consistency.
• A data breach can be a disaster for companies. Our staff understands this fact and the ramifications that could come into play if data security isn’t taken seriously. Not only is it Mainstream’s job to ensure that no data leaves any of our facilities, but it’s ourpriority and our commitment to you, your company, and your brand.

IT asset remarketing enters new phase

We are entering a new phase within this industry. The trends are clear: order volumes are increasing and not all companies are prepared to tackle the unique challenges that this fact brings about. The volumes that we expect to see in the coming years necessitate careful, thoughtful handling. At Mainstream, that’s what we provide all our partners

Mainstream Global always seeks to grow and expand our company as well as our capabilities. Our deep understanding of the industry and our ability to handle your project through numerous stages of development set us apart from other organizations. Please contact us today to learn more.

Mainstream Global, Inc., headquartered in Lawrence, Mass., owns and operates processing centers in Colombia, Peru, Chile, Argentina and Brazil.  With over 18 years of directly servicing and re-selling assets from top-tier manufacturers, Mainstream Global is the recognized expert in the region.  Our partners rely on us for compliance, security, professionalism, and brand protection, all while providing the best returns and prioritizing global environmental standards. 

Read more:

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With the recent news that all of Mainstream Global’s facilities in North and Latin America are now fully R2-certified, this post will take a closer look at our certifications and how they can help you fulfill demanding ITAD requirements.

With over 18 years of experience in the reverse logistics space, we know what it takes to help companies like yours meet extensive ITAD requirements.

Our certifications show we have audited and internationally proven expertise in managing secure, high-volume data destruction and the disposition of IT equipment in an environmentally responsible manner.

Here’s why it matters to you.

Five certifications help meet demanding ITAD requirements

The R2 Standard

The R2 Standard emphasizes reuse and resource management over e-waste management, supporting the ITAD industry to be part of the circular economy rather than a contributor to the current e-waste epidemic.

Two main pillars of the R2 Standard are: maximum data security and maximum material recovery for end-of-life electronics.

R2-certified facilities like ours in North and Latin America go through rigorous independent audits on an annual basis by certified bodies to ensure, for example, that:

• materials are clear of all confidential and personal residual data;
• electronics for reuse are tracked throughout the supply chain;
• downstream vendors are vetted in accordance with best industry practices and certification requirements;
• and unusable products are responsibly recycled with the least environmental impact.

ISO 9001, ISO 14001…

These international standards are published by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and apply to all types and sizes of organizations, not just the electronics reuse and recycling industry.

In conjunction, they facilitate integration of multiple management systems within an organization related to quality (ISO 9001), the environment (ISO 14001) and worker health and safety (OHSAS 18001, which is being replaced by ISO 45001).

• ISO 9001 focuses on customer satisfaction and provides requirements for an organization’s Quality Management System (QMS). Since a QMS constantly improves and monitors all areas of the business, an ISO 9001 certification highlights a company’s ability to consistently measure and monitor quality, resulting in reliable, conforming products or services.
• ISO 14001 provides requirements for an environmental management system (EMS), helping companies identify, manage, and improve their environmental impact through more efficient use of resources and reduction of waste.
• ISO 45001, just released in 2018, focuses on the occupational health and safety management system, monitoring occupational risks to workers and offering resources and objectives to support the safety needs of employees. Mainstream Global is in the process of transitioning from OHSAS 18001 to ISO 45001.

Together, all three standards encourage continual improvement of an organization’s operational systems. A facility cannot attain an R2 Certification without first meeting the standards of ISO 9001, ISO 14001, and ISO 45001.

NIST 800-88

Finally, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) certification provides a set of best practices for data destruction processes and techniques for secure disposal of information. The NIST 800 Series is designed to offer frameworks, like the widely adopted NIST Cybersecurity Framework, that spell out federal government computer security policies, procedures and guidelines, in order to optimize the security of information technology.

At Mainstream Global, our high-volume processing equipment — which can be deployed at your own site — meets NIST standards for maximum data security.

Partnering with a certified company to fulfill your ITAD requirements

At Mainstream, our certifications are our way of saying we are committed to best practices in the industry — for our clients, our workers, and the environment.

We weave the expectations of the certifications into daily operations of the business, creating standardized procedures that ensure environmental responsibility and top-notch data security, while staying true to our main goal of uncovering as much value as possible from your retired computer equipment.

We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again: These certifications represent our company’s commitment to creating a business that adheres to best industry practices all day and every day.

Read more:

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Where to dispose of electronics?

It’s a question that needs to be treated with a certain degree of urgency given the disappearingly short life expectancy of electronic equipment, such as computers (only four years), flat-screen televisions (13 years), and smartphones (two years).

Electronic waste is, indeed, the fastest growing waste stream with an annual growth rate of almost 5%. As much as 75-80% of discarded electronic equipment ends up in landfills, despite the fact that close to 100% is reusable or recyclable. As a society we’ve been “going green” since the early 90s. Discarded electronic equipment should be no exception.

Going green with electronics

We hardly need to tell you why obsolete electronic equipment should be disposed of in an environmentally responsible manner, but let’s consider the two main reasons:

• Valuable materials: copper, tin, iron, aluminum, fossil fuels, titanium, gold, and silver. Most of the materials used in making electronic devices can be recovered, reused and recycled, including plastic and/or glass.
• Hazardous waste: Improper disposal of mercury, lead, and cadmium can cause significant harm to human health and the environment, seeping into the soil and water streams. Currently, e-waste makes up as much as 70% of all toxic waste.

Where to dispose of electronics responsibly

To ensure your company’s discarded computer and electronic equipment is being recycled to best industry standards, you have a few options:

1. Contact the producer of the equipment

Many large electronics producers offer buyback and return options to businesses, taking the  responsibility of where to dispose of electronics off your hands.

2. Find an experienced remarketing and recycling partner

Joining forces with a certified expert in remarketing and recycling provides multiple opportunities for reuse and recycling for your discarded equipment.

Because the goal of remarketers is to gain the greatest amount of reuse from all materials received through the reverse supply chain, the environment reaps the benefits alongside the financial wellbeing — and — reputation of your company.

Following testing, grading, and repair, your products can hold considerable value in a secondary marketplace, such as Latin America. If the equipment cannot be resold, your partner still ensures it is recycled responsibly with minimal environmental and toxic impact.

Off-lease products, excess inventory, consumer returns, and outdated equipment shouldn’t find their way to a landfill. With a certified remarketing and recycling partner, your company’s e-disposal practices can take a path that is better for both the environment and your company’s finances.

Mainstream Global, Inc., headquartered in Lawrence, Mass., owns and operates processing centers in Colombia, Peru, Chile, Argentina and Brazil.  With over 18 years of directly servicing and re-selling assets from top-tier manufacturers, Mainstream Global is the recognized expert in the region.  Our partners rely on us for compliance, security, professionalism, and brand protection, all while providing the best returns and prioritizing global environmental standards. 

Read more:

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Wish you could squeeze more value out of your retired IT assets? 2019 brings a new chance to do so.

Here are 9 ways to create a revenue stream — or significant cost-savings — from your off-lease products, excess inventory, consumer returns, and obsolete electronic equipment.

1.      Purge

The new year is a great time to take stock of your inventory and get rid of any obsolete IT equipment that is languishing in storage spaces.

The value of IT equipment depreciates monthly, so let the new year be a catalyst to purge whatever isn’t in active use.

2.      Purge, even if it still holds book value

If your financial department is hesitant to part with equipment because it’s not fully depreciated and still showing book value, consider writing it off and purging that too.

Why? Your company may be paying more to hold on to it than you realize, like personal property taxes and fees for software licenses, as well as potential costs to manage or store them.

3.      Inventory audit

Feel like you could use assistance to figure out your IT fleet and what might hold value? Companies that specialize in IT asset disposition may offer a consult service to help sort through your assets and create an optimal plan to get the most value out of your retiring assets.

4.      Test and grade

Once you’ve determined what to retire, testing and screening services will put products through a thorough inspection to determine the disposition of components. Each asset is then “graded” into categories, and materials in good condition can be repurposed for their intended use.

5.      Repair and refurbish

Assets that are not in top grading categories may still hold value if they can be repaired and refurbished, allowing you to reuse them or to be readied for resale in a secondary marketplace.

6.      Re-use

After repair and refurbishment, the equipment can be redeployed into your reverse supply chain as you desire, or it can be used to replenish the company’s warranty spares inventory.

7.      Resell in a secondary marketplace

A secondary IT marketplace, such as Latin America, provides an excellent opportunity to recoup value. This is perhaps the most lucrative path for your retired assets. By partnering with an intelligent global remarketing partner with deep knowledge of IT disposition as well as a well-established redeployment network,  you position yourself to take full advantage of this growing secondary marketplace.

8.      Repurpose those software licenses, too

Just because your office computers need to be retired, the associated software doesn’t always need to follow the same route.

Many companies do not keep track of the software licenses they purchase and use, resulting in wasted resources and increased software spend. It’s important to recycle and re-harvest your software licenses so they can remain active even if your computer equipment doesn’t.

9.      Recycle the unsalvageable

When there’s nothing else to do, recycle the unsalvageable retired assets. While there is technically no monetary “value” in this, the peace of mind that comes from responsible recycling shouldn’t be underestimated. And, bear in mind, not recycling in accordance with environmental regulations for the disposition of electronics can subject your company to hefty fines.

Currently, approximately 75-80% of obsolete electronic equipment ends up in landfills, despite the fact that close to 100% is reusable or recyclable. Even though e-waste only takes up 2% of landfill space, it produces 70% of our society’s overall toxic waste. This doesn’t have to be the final fate for your retired IT assets that cannot be repurposed or resold.

A thoughtful and well-executed IT asset disposition plan can squeeze more value out of your retired IT assets in the new year. At Mainstream Global, we stand ready to help. Contact us to learn more.

Mainstream Global, Inc., headquartered in Lawrence, Mass., owns and operates processing centers in Colombia, Peru, Chile, Argentina and Brazil.  With over 18 years of directly servicing and re-selling assets from top tier manufacturers, Mainstream Global is the recognized expert in the region.  Our partners rely on us for compliance, security, professionalism, and brand protection, all while providing the best returns and prioritizing global environmental standards. 

Read more:

To Turn Excess Inventory Into a Revenue Stream, You Need a Remarketing Partner: What to Look For

Why Working with a R2-Certified Supply Chain Partner is So Crucial

This is Mainstream Global – Your Edge in Reverse Logistics