Electronic waste, or e-Waste, is composed of almost all types of electrical and electronic equipment that have reached the product end of life cycle and been discarded by businesses and consumers. Rapid growth and product innovations in information and communication technology, such as cell phones and tablets, have led to frequent turnaround cycles for electronic devices. As a result, e-Waste has become the fastest growing waste stream in the world. According to the United Nations, the global community produces a total of 40 million tons of e-Waste every year and estimates indicate that this volume could triple over the next five years.

The EPA estimates that 150 million, or four cell phones per second, ends up in U.S. landfills each year and that e-Waste is responsible for 70 percent of the toxic substances in our landfills today. The lead leached from one cell phone’s lithium ion battery in a landfill can contaminate up to 40,000 gallons of water.

Without proper management, the toxins from e-Waste can cause serious health and environmental hazards. For example, a single cell phone contains many toxic substances including mercury, lead, cadmium, arsenic beryllium and brominated flame retardants. These hazardous toxins have been found to cause cancer, reproductive disorders, endocrine disruption and other major health issues. When burned, the hazardous material creates some of the most toxic substances known to humankind, such as halogenated dioxins and furans.

Responsibly recycling e-Waste protects the environment by preventing hazardous material from entering and polluting the ecosystem and our communities.  Enterprises can reduce e-Waste by donating or selling used cell phones, tablets and other electronic devices to asset recovery companies that will securely reuse devices that retain value or safely recycle devices that cannot be repaired. However, be careful of the electronics-recycling partner that you choose.

Try to work only with electronics recycling companies that are e-Stewards certified. The EPA estimates that 70 to 80 percent of electronics recycling companies in the U.S. directly or indirectly export e-Waste into “toxic wastelands” in developing countries. e-Steward’s certified electronics recyclers adhere to the highest global standards for environmental protection and worker safety and strictly prohibits the export of e-Waste into developing countries.

Assisting organizations in taking a more responsible, secure and profitable approach to wireless recycling, e-Cycle purchases used cell phones and tablets that still retain value and recycles all others at no charge through an EPA-registered facility. A rigorous multi-step data deletion process permanently removes confidential data stored on these devices. Not only does e-Cycle maintain a strict zero landfill policy, their e-Stewards Certification also ensures dedication to upholding the highest global standards for environmental responsibility. For more information on responsible cell phone recycling, visit www.e-Cycle.com.

For more information on e-Waste, also see “How to Resolve the E-Waste Challenge,” by Dr. Moses Amweelo.

The leading mobile phone buyback, data protection and recycling company received the distinction after achieving 959 percent growth.

Mobile phone recycling and buyback company, e-Cycle LLC, was ranked as the 4th fastest growing environmental services company by Inc. magazine in its 2012 Inc. 500 list of privately held, for-profit companies in the U.S. e-Cycle received this ranking as a result of its job creation efforts and dramatic sales growth over a three-year period.

Providing wireless buyback, data deletion and recycling services for businesses and major organizations, e-Cycle achieved 959 percent business growth between 2008 and 2011 and created nearly 100 green jobs at its Ohio headquarters and nationwide.

Overall, e-Cycle now is listed as #393 among the fastest-growing private companies in the U.S., up 194 places from the #587 ranking just one year ago. This is the third consecutive year in which e-Cycle has achieved a ranking on the Inc. 500 | 5000 list.

“We are extremely appreciative of the recognition we’ve received from Inc., as it demonstrates we are continuing on the right track in delivering value to organizations that are searching for innovative mobile recycling solutions,” said e-Cycle CEO Christopher Irion. “What makes us even more proud is the fact that our growth has been achieved during a challenging economic period. This serves as a testament to the growing need for mobile data security and the environmental stewardship of our clients, as well as the commitment, creativity and hard work that embody our e-Cycle team.”

To view e-Cycle's Inc. company profile, visit http://www.inc.com/inc5000/profile/e-cycle.

About e-Cycle
e-Cycle helps organizations take a more responsible, secure and cost-effective approach to wireless recycling. The company collects wireless phones from businesses and major organizations, reimbursing them for devices that retain value and recycling all others at no charge. The information on every phone is either deleted or destroyed through the industry’s most rigorous data security measures. In 2012, Forbes ranked e-Cycle the #68 most promising, privately-held company in America. e-Cycle is also the first mobile buyback and recycling company in the U.S. to become e-Stewards® certified. Find more information at www.e-Cycle.com.

About Inc. Magazine
Founded in 1979 and acquired in 2005 by Mansueto Ventures LLC, Inc. (www.inc.com) is the only major business magazine dedicated exclusively to owners and managers of growing private companies that delivers real solutions for today’s innovative company builders. With a total paid circulation of 712,961, Inc. provides hands-on tools and market-tested strategies for managing people, finances, sales, marketing and technology. Visit us online at Inc.com.

As more employees begin utilizing smartphones in their personal lives, businesses are exploring “bring your own device” (BYOD) plans to serve their organizations. For years, businesses depended on the BlackBerry to ensure mobile data security; however, as personally owned iPhones, Androids, iPads and other tablets gain popularity, enterprises need to explore mobile security options to protect these employee-liable devices.

In the past, smartphones were primarily a business instrument that was occasionally used for personal tasks. When it was first released, not many individuals owned a BlackBerry. Now, the roles are reversed and everyone wants a personal smartphone or tablet that they can also use for business. Employees are no longer satisfied doing business on desktop computers or laptops but instead want to utilize their portable smartphones to do business whenever and wherever they chose.

A study conducted by Cisco of 600 IT and business executives reports that most companies are implementing BYOD. 95 percent of those surveyed indicated that they allow employee-owned devices in some aspect of the workplace. 84 percent provides some level of IT support with 36 percent offering full support for these employee-liable devices. According to the authors of the study, IT is accepting and even embracing BYOD as a reality.

Implementing a BYOD policy produces a cost saving for corporations as it allows the employee to assume the expense of purchasing their own mobile devices. This method also improves productivity as employees have access to their work anywhere, anytime. However, the cost savings and improved efficiency often do not offset the increased mobile security risks and opportunity for security breaches.

While some companies are embracing the new BYOD trend, others don’t think the risks outweigh the reward. Recently, IBM banned employees from using personal devices and services such as iPhones, Siri and Dropbox to view company data. Many mobile phones, cloud services and web apps were not created with security in mind and especially not with the robust, enterprise-level mobile security most businesses necessitate. These risky, consumer-focused applications could easily allow sensitive business information to leak out.

Security policies need to be revised to include mobile phones and devices. Most companies have not yet made this switch; however, developing policies to protect corporate data on personal devices is essential to the BYOD method. IT needs to consider all possible scenarios that could result in the loss of a device or a in a breach of company data.

Privacy is another essential consideration when implementing BYOD. With corporate-liable devices, policies could be put in place without considering privacy; however, BYOD requires the issue of privacy to be addressed. In the case of BYOD, the issue of privacy has very different meanings for both the employee and the organization. To an enterprise, mobile security means losing private business data such as sensitive emails; but to an employee, privacy is losing personal data such as contacts or photos. Both of these perspectives should be considered when creating these mobile policies.

Companies often don’t realize the risk they are taking by letting their employees access company data until it is too late.  In the past, smartphones were strictly a business instrument. Now, every individual wants a smartphone or tablet that they can perform business and personal related tasks on.  Business decision makers need to educate themselves and understand this role reversal as well as the security risks that accompany it so the proper mobile security policies will be enforced.

For more information, view the article The Risks and Benefits of Allowing Employee-Owned Devices by Joe Mont.

e-Cycle’s Mobile Phone Buyback, Recycling and Data Security Business Solutions
Businesses need to implement a policy that considers the company’s confidential data when the mobile devices have reached the end of their life. Sensitive company data can still be accessed after a mobile phone has been retired and partnering with a mobile buyback and recycling company that guarantees mobile data deletion will ensure confidential company data remains secure. e-Cycle helps organizations take a more responsible, secure and profitable approach to wireless mobile phone recycling. e-Cycle collects used mobile devices from businesses and organizations, reimbursing them for devices that retain value and recycling all others at no charge. The information on every phone is either deleted or destroyed using the industry’s most rigorous data security measures. Inc. ranked e-Cycle the #5 Fastest Growing Environmental Services Company in the U.S. and Forbes named e-Cycle the #68 Most Promising, Privately-Held Company in America. In January 2012, e-Cycle became the only mobile buyback and recycling company in the world to become e-Stewards certified. For more information, visit www.e-cycle.com.

e-Cycle is partnering with Research in Motion to offer clients the opportunity to receive $100 for their used BlackBerry's and protect their sensitive mobile data when they upgrade to the latest BlackBerry^® smartphone.

A new program from Research In Motion (RIM) can save enterprise and government customers on the costs of upgrading to BlackBerry^® 7 smartphones while also helping with the responsible recycling of old mobile devices. RIM has recently announced that it is working with e-Cycle LLC, a cell phone buyback and recycling company, to offer a new trade-up and recycle program to customers in the United States.

Under the program, enterprise and government customers can get a rebate of up to $100 per device purchased when they securely trade in an older BlackBerry smartphone for the purchase of a new BlackBerry 7 smartphone(i). e-Cycle is also providing complimentary data deletion, recycling and free shipping.

"RIM is pleased to work with e-Cycle to help customers upgrade their older BlackBerry smartphones to the latest BlackBerry 7 models, while also helping to facilitate responsible recycling," said Richard Piasentin, Managing Director for the U.S. at RIM.

"This program provides BlackBerry customers with a cost effective way to upgrade to the latest BlackBerry smartphones and helps reduce the impact on the environment by diverting electronic waste from landfills," said Christopher Irion, e-Cycle founder and CEO.

For more information about the BlackBerry Trade-Up program, visit www.blackberry.com/tradeupbusiness. The e-Cycle process can be viewed at http://e-Cycle.com/how-it-works.

About Research In Motion

Research In Motion (RIM), a global leader in wireless innovation, revolutionized the mobile industry with the introduction of the BlackBerry^® solution in 1999. Today, BlackBerry products and services are used by millions of customers around the world to stay connected to the people and content that matter most throughout their day. Founded in 1984 and based in Waterloo, Ontario, RIM operates offices in North America, Europe, Asia Pacific and Latin America. RIM is listed on the NASDAQ Stock Market (NASDAQ:RIMM) and the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX:RIM). For more information, visit www.rim.com or www.blackberry.com.

(i) Terms and conditions apply.

Forward-looking statements in this news release are made pursuant to the "safe harbor" provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and applicable Canadian securities laws. When used herein, words such as "expect", "anticipate", "estimate", "may", "will", "should", "intend," "believe", and similar expressions, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on estimates and assumptions made by RIM in light of its experience and its perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments, as well as other factors that RIM believes are appropriate in the circumstances. Many factors could cause RIM's actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements, including those described in the "Risk Factors" section of RIM's Annual Information Form, which is included in its Annual Report on Form 40-F (copies of which filings may be obtained at www.sedar.com or www.sec.gov). These factors should be considered carefully, and readers should not place undue reliance on RIM's forward-looking statements. RIM has no intention and undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

The BlackBerry and RIM families of related marks, images and symbols are the exclusive properties and trademarks of Research In Motion Limited. RIM, Research In Motion and BlackBerry are registered with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and may be pending or registered in other countries. All other brands, product names, company names, trademarks and service marks are the properties of their respective owners. RIM assumes no obligations or liability and makes no representation, warranty, endorsement or guarantee in relation to any aspect of any third party products or services.

To encourage responsible mobile phone recycling this August, e-Cycle is offering our clients the chance to win the new BlackBerry PlayBook with our Recycle-N-Win Giveaway. Organizations that sell and/or recycle their mobile devices with e-Cycle before August 31, 2012, will be entered into a random drawing to win one of two new BlackBerry PlayBooks.

Entering the contest is easy:

• Request a Wireless Buyback Estimate to receive a no-obligation buyback quote for your mobile devices.
• Fill out the official entry form and include it with the package of mobile devices to be recycled.
• e-Cycle will email you a pre-paid shipping label* to send in your devices.
• As always, mobile phone recycling and data deletion are free.

The number of individuals utilizing smartphones, tablets and other portable networked devices has exploded over the past few years. Due to this rapid increase, the 2012 Olympic Games will bring the highest ever risk of corporate and personal data loss.

During an average two-week period, approximately 50,000 mobile phones are lost or stolen in the London area. However, during the Games, the population in London is expected to grow by one third. Experts predict that this increased population will lead to an additional 17,000 lost and stolen mobile phones or a possible total of 67,000 missing mobile phones in this time frame.

Approximately 40 percent, or 26,800, of these mobile devices are smartphones and are at risk of data loss or theft. Potentially, 214.4 terabytes of confidential data could be lost or stolen. In addition, other devices such as laptops and tablets are at risk. These mobile devices have an even larger storage capacity for confidential data.

The introduction of ‘Bring Your Own Device’ or BYOD creates added opportunities for corporate data security breaches with more people carrying personally owned devices with sensitive business data than ever before. Not only do these mobile devices process and store an abundance of sensitive personal and business information but they can also access private company networks. If this valuable, regulated data falls into the wrong hands, it would be devastating to a business or organization.

To reduce mobile data security risks, businesses that utilize a BYOD program need to implement comprehensive data security policies in place and introduce device management systems. Smartphones or tablets that remotely access business data should be password protected to avoid a security breach in the case of loss or theft. Additionally, experts recommend that these employee-liable devices be secured with proper authentication and data protection.

For more information, read 67,000 phones to be lost or stolen during the Olympics.

e-Cycle Provides Secure Mobile Phone Recycling and Asset Recovery Solutions for Enterprises
Helping organizations take a more responsible, secure and profitable approach to wireless mobile phone recycling, e-Cycle collects used mobile devices from businesses and organizations, reimbursing them for devices that retain value and recycling all others at no charge. The information on every phone is either deleted or destroyed using the industry’s most rigorous data security measures. In January 2012, e-Cycle became the only mobile buyback and recycling company in the world to become e-Stewards certified. To find out more on e-Cycle’s mobile phone buyback, recycling and data deletion services, visit www.e-Cycle.com.

The leading mobile buyback and recycling company will donate $1 to JDRF for each mobile phone collected at Ford locations nationwide.

e-Cycle, the first mobile buyback and recycling company to receive the stringent e-Stewards certification, will partner with Ford Motor Company this August on a month-long initiative to raise funds for type 1 diabetes (T1D) research while recycling wireless phones.

“We look forward to working with e-Cycle and JDRF on this important initiative to raise funds for diabetes research,” said Robert Brown, vice president, Sustainability, Environment and Safety Engineering, Ford Motor Company. “By involving everyone in the effort, we are making our collective commitment to this cause while encouraging environmental responsibility.”

As part of the program, thousands of employees at Ford buildings and plants across the U.S. will collect their personal mobile phones for shipment to e-Cycle’s facility, where the data will be removed using the most rigorous security measures and the devices will be recycled to the highest environmental standards.

e-Cycle will cover the cost of shipping and donate $1 to JDRF for each device recycled. Ford sites will compete to see which one can collect the most phones and raise the most money.

“JDRF is proud to have the support of both Ford Motor Company and e-Cycle through this partnership campaign,” said Gael Sandoval, senior account manager, Ford Global Action Team, JDRF.  “This collaborative effort will generate the dollars needed to help continue the funding of T1D research.

T1D affects both Ford employees and their families. e-Cycle also has a personal tie to JDRF, as company founders Chris and Tonia Irion have a child with T1D. Tonia serves on the board of the Mid-Ohio Chapter of JDRF.

“We are excited to be partnering with Ford and its employees in support of JDRF’s commitment to finding better treatments and a cure,” said Tonia Irion, e-Cycle vice president. “This initiative means a tremendous amount to all those who are living with type 1 diabetes.”

e-Cycle is a leader in helping companies and organizations to achieve responsible, secure and cost-effective mobile recycling. This initiative with Ford is the first employee-driven mobile buyback and recycling fundraiser undertaken by e-Cycle. Last year, e-Cycle raised $19,000 for JDRF by making a donation for phones purchased or recycled over the course of one week.

Ford Motor Company is proud to be the number one global partner of JDRF. The company created the Ford Global Action Team in 1998 to promote friendly competition among Ford sites to raise funds for JDRF.  Since its inception, Ford, along with business partners such as the UAW, BP, Mazda, ADESA and WPP, has contributed over $39 Million directly to JDRF to fund research.

e-Cycle believes the partnership with Ford is a model for how mobile buyback and recycling can serve as a foundation for corporate caring initiatives.

“With the help of e-Cycle, companies can promote data security and environmental responsibility while supporting causes that are important to their employees and customers,” said e-Cycle CEO Chris Irion. “For charities, this kind of partnership provides an opportunity to enhance their revenue streams.”

About JDRF

JDRF is the leading global organization focused on type 1 diabetes (t1D) research. Driven by passionate, grassroots volunteers connected to children, adolescents and adults with this disease, JDRF is the largest charitable supporter of T1D research. The goal of JDRF research is to improve the lives of all people affected by T1D by accelerating progress on the most promising opportunities for curing, better treating, and preventing T1D. Visit http://www.jdrf.org.

The leading mobile buyback and recycling company helps businesses and organizations take a responsible, secure and cost-effective approach to their wireless recycling needs.

Christopher Irion, CEO and Founder of e-Cycle, the world’s first mobile buyback and recycling company to earn the stringent and independent e-Stewards certification, was honored as an innovative corporate leader during the Smart Leaders Awards Luncheon.

The Smart Leaders Awards, presented by Smart Business Network, recognize the brightest and most innovative corporate leaders in the local business community while bringing to light the strategies they use to attain their level of success. e-Cycle is among 15 companies to receive the honor in Central Ohio. Recipients represent a range of industries, from real estate and law to technology and finance.

“All of us with e-Cycle are honored to see Christopher recognized among such an exceptional group of innovative leaders,” said Jen Myers, e-Cycle COO who accepted the award on behalf of CEO Christopher Irion. “The continued success of e-Cycle can be attributed to the quality of our employees, who comprise a dedicated team with a passion for our mission and core values. We are confident that Christopher’s vision and leadership will continue to grow e-Cycle as the global leader in enterprise wireless recycling.”

Many companies are adopting a ‘Bring Your Own Device’ or BYOD plan for their employees’ mobile smartphones and tablets. Businesses are beginning to implement these mobile programs to increase employee morale, improve productivity and lower the organization’s total telecom expenses. However, while this new IT trend keeps employees content, it could actually be costing organizations money.

According to a recent study entitled Mobility Temperature Check: Just How Hot is BYOD? by telecom expense management company Xigo, two-thirds or 67 percent of enterprises report that their telecom expenses have not changed since making the switch to BYOD. In fact, 24 percent noticed an increase in expenses. Only nine percent of businesses surveyed were able to lower costs by adopting a BYOD program. In addition, 61 percent of businesses responded that the rates of their network service plan remained the same. 70 percent of respondents claimed their IT support costs have not changed.

The study stated that mobile phone usage is more accepted than tablet usage, reporting enterprises are willing to subsidize mobile phones over tablets. 50 percent of businesses responded that they are willing to assist employees in the purchase of mobile phones while only 30 percent will contribute to the cost of tablets. However, 36 percent of those surveyed believe that iPads or tablets will eventually replace laptops.

Organizations can ensure money back in their telecom budget by recycling retired mobile devices with a mobile phone buyback company. e-Cycle LLC assists companies with their telecom expense management by providing a simple, profitable solution to mobile phone recycling. Not only will e-Cycle reimburse businesses for all mobile phones and devices that retain resale value, but also provide complimentary data deletion and recycling services. The confidential business data on every phone is deleted or destroyed using the industry’s leading data security methods. e-Cycle maintains a zero landfill policy and all mobile phones that can not be reused are recycled through an e-Stewards certified recycling facility. In January 2012, e-Cycle became the first mobile buyback and recycling company in the world to become e-Stewards certified. For more information on mobile phone recycling and buyback, visit www.e-Cycle.com.

To view the full article BYOD More Likely to Increase Expenses Than Reduce Them by CJ Arlotta visit http://www.mspmentor.net/2012/07/20/byob-more-likely-to-increase-expenses-than-reduce-them/.

The leading mobile buyback and recycling company is dedicated to empowering businesses and organizations to take a responsible, secure and cost-effective approach to wireless recycling.

e-Cycle, the world’s first mobile buyback and recycling company to earn the stringent and independent e-Stewards certification, was presented with a Bronze Stevie^® Award as Company of the Year in the category of Best Business Services presented by the 10^th Annual American Business Awards^SM. Awards were announced at the ABA gala banquet in New York.

The American Business Awards are the nation’s premier business awards program. All organizations operating in the U.S. are eligible to submit nominations – public and private, for-profit and nonprofit, large and small.

More than 3,000 nominations from organizations of all sizes in virtually every industry were submitted this year for consideration in a wide range of categories, including Most Innovative Company of the Year, Management Team of the Year, Best New Product or Service of the Year, Corporate Social Responsibility Program of the Year, and Executive of the Year, among others.  e-Cycle is committed to providing environmentally friendly and cost-effective services to U.S. and international organizations to protect their sensitive data and recycle their mobile devices.

“We are honored to be a Stevie Award recipient and be considered among some of the most innovative companies in America,” said e-Cycle founder and CEO Christopher Irion. “This is a testament to our commitment to helping organizations take the most responsible, secure and cost-effective approach to their wireless recycling. This recognition inspires us to further our vision of being a leader in green business solutions and delivering the highest-quality services in our industry.”

Stevie Award winners were selected by more than 270 executives nationwide who participated in the judging process this year. Details about the American Business Awards and the lists of Stevie Award winners who were announced June 18 are available at www.stevieawards.com/aba.

About the Stevie® Awards
Stevie Awards are conferred in four programs: The American Business Awards, The International Business Awards, the Stevie Awards for Women in Business, and the Stevie Awards for Sales & Customer Service. Honoring organizations of all types and sizes and the people behind them, the Stevies recognize outstanding performances in the workplace worldwide. Learn more about the Stevie Awards at http://www.StevieAwards.com.