Cell Phone Recycling in the US - Market Research Report (2014-2029)
New York, United States
Last Updated: July 2024
NAICS OD5888Revenue
$3.0bn
Past 5-Year Growth
Profit
$XXX.Xm
Employees
7,484
Businesses
561
Wages
$XXX.Xm
Cell Phone Recycling in the US industry analysis
Cell phone recycling companies primarily separate and sort recyclable materials from cell phones, smartphones, pagers and personal digital assistants. Companies also refurbish devices for resale. Revenue from processing other electronics is excluded from this industry. As smartphones have become more widespread, consumers have purchased them in record numbers, causing individuals to throw away their old phones. The proliferation of old devices has increased demand for recycling services, causing revenue to expand. COVID-19 caused a shutdown of much of the economy, reducing consumer spending and industrial production and constraining demand for cell phones and their associated recycling services from the household and business sectors. Consumers had to work from home during the pandemic, so they bought new phones to do so more effectively, causing revenue growth to stay high in 2020.Prices of copper and silver soared during the pandemic recovery because of supply chain disruptions. Since cell phone recycling companies sell these inputs to manufacturing companies, elevated prices benefited the industry. These prices have declined recently, hindering revenue somewhat. Overall, revenue for cell phone recycling companies is anticipated to soar at a CAGR of 12.2% during the current period, reaching $3.0 billion in 2023. Revenue is projected to creep upward 1.7% in that year.Revenue growth will slow significantly in the near future. The market for cell phones will become more saturated, hindering revenue streams for phone makers, which reduces downstream demand for the industry. Manufacturers will produce fewer products in the United States because they'll outsource their jobs to developing countries. This will reduce their demand for copper, silver and other inputs domestically, constraining revenue for recycling companies. On the flip side, solid economic growth will keep per capita disposable income high, encouraging consumers to replace their old cell phones with new ones and raising demand for recycling services. Overall, revenue for cell phone recyclers is forecast to rise at a CAGR of 1.7% during the outlook period, reaching $3.3 billion in 2028. Profit is expected to comprise 6.3% of revenue in that year.
Trends and Insights
- The industry has performed exceedingly well during the current period. Rising cell phone usage, working from home and soaring input prices all aided revenue growth for recycling companies.
- Demanufacturing makes up a large share of revenue because dismantling technological equipment is complex. Cell phone recycling companies engage in other activities such as asset recovery, shredding, glass cleaning, administration and management.
- The southeast has the highest share of the country’s population because many large states are located there. The large population boosts demand for cell phone recycling services from households, businesses and other organizations.
- The large number of enterprises keeps internal competition fairly high. Cell phone recycling companies compete based on price, quality, reputation and the convenience of recycling services.
Industry Overview
Market size and recent performance (2014-2029)
Industry revenue has grown at a CAGR of 12.2 % over the past five years, to reach an estimated $3.0bn in 2024.
Trends and Insights
Infrastructure Investment Act Spurs Capital Investments in Cell Phone Recycling
- The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act represents a $1.2 trillion investment, with $550 billion above baseline funding. By mid-2024, more than $454 billion in Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funds have been allocated, enhancing various sectors, including recycling.
- Additional trends and insights available with purchase
Industry outlook (2024-2029)
Market size is projected to grow over the next five years.
Trends and Insights
Market saturation will increase
- Since smartphones have become commonplace in the United States, their growth will slow as most consumers have already purchased them.
Biggest companies in the Cell Phone Recycling in the US
| Company | Market Share (%)
2023 | Revenue ($m)
2023 | Profit ($m)
2023 | Profit Margin (%)
2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Ecoatm, Llc | 276.6 | -85.1 | -30.8 | |
Nextworth Solutions, Inc. | 117.0 | 5.7 | 4.9 |
To view the market share and analysis for all 2 top companies in this industry, view purchase options.
Products & Services Segmentation
Cell Phone Recycling in the US
Products & Services
Industry revenue is measured across several distinct product and services lines, including Asset recovery, Demanufacturing and Shredding. Asset recovery is the largest segment of the Cell Phone Recycling in the US.
Trends and Insights
Recycling companies are responsible for breaking down old cell phones
- In the demanufacturing process, companies dismantle the electronic equipment and remove potentially valuable components and materials, such as scrap metal. Gold, silver, palladium and copper are used throughout electronic equipment and can often be extracted for reuse.
- More insights available in the full report
Widen you competitive advantage with related industries
Competitors
- Remediation & Environmental Cleanup Services in the US
- Recycling Facilities in the US
Complementors
- Recyclable Material Wholesaling in the US
- Electronic & Computer Repair Services in the US
International industries
- Recycling Facilities in Canada
- Waste Remediation and Materials Recovery Services in Australia
- Waste Remediation and Materials Recovery Services in New Zealand
- Sorted Material Recovery in the UK
- Sorted Material Recovery in Ireland
Table of Contents
About this industry
Industry definition
Cell phone recycling companies primarily separate and sort recyclable materials from cell phones, smart phones, pagers and personal digital assistants. Companies also refurbish devices for resale. Revenue from processing other electronics is excluded from this industry.
What's included in this industry?
Refurbishing cell phonesSelling refurbished cell phonesReselling used cell phonesRecovering cell phone materialCompanies
Ecoatm, LlcNextworth Solutions, Inc.Purchase this report to view all 2 major companies in this industry.
Related Terms
E-WASTEREFURBISHED CELL PHONESMARTPHONEIndustry Code
NAICS 56292 - Cell Phone Recycling in the US
Performance
Get an indication of the industry's health through historical, current and forward-looking trends in the performance indicators that make or break businesses.
Analyst insights
The industry has performed exceedingly well during the current period. Rising cell phone usage, working from home and soaring input prices all aided revenue growth for recycl...
In this chapter (4)
- Current Performance
- Outlook
- Volatility
- Life Cycle
Key metrics
- Annual Revenue, Recent Growth, Forecast, Revenue Volatility
- Number of Employees, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Employee
- Number of Businesses, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Business
- Total Profit, Profit Margin, Profit per Business
Charts
- Revenue, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
- Employees, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
- Businesses, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
- Profit, including historical (2014-2024)
- Industry Volatility vs. Revenue Growth
- Industry Life Cycle
Detailed analysis
- Trends in supply, demand and current events that are driving current industry performance
- Expected trends, economic factors and ongoing events that drive the industry's outlook
- Key success factors for businesses to overcome volatility
- How contribution to GDP, industry saturation, innovation, consolidation, and technology and systems influence the industry's life cycle phase.
Products and Markets
Learn about an industry's products and services, markets and trends in international trade.
Analyst insight
Demanufacturing makes up a large share of revenue because dismantling technological equipment is complex. Cell phone recycling companies engage in other activities such as as...
In this chapter
- Products & Services
- Major Markets
Key metrics
- Largest market segment and value in 2024
- Product innovation level
Charts
- Products & services segmentation in 2024
- Major market segmentation in 2024
Detailed analysis
- Trends impacting the recent performance of the industry's various segments
- Innovations in the industry's product or service offering, specialization or delivery method
- Key factors that successful businesses consider in their offerings
- Buying segments and key trends influencing demand for industry products and services
Geographic Breakdown
Discover where business activity is most concentrated in an industry and the factors driving these trends to find opportunities and conduct regional benchmarking.
Analyst insights
The southeast has the highest share of the country’s population because many large states are located there. The large population boosts demand for cell phone recycling servi...
In this chapter (1)
- Business Locations
Charts
- Share of revenue, establishment, wages and employment in each state
- Share of population compared to establishments in each region in 2024
Tables
- Number and share of establishments in each state in 2024
- Number and share of revenue each state accounts for in 2024
- Number and share of wages each state accounts for in 2024
- Number and share of employees in each state in 2024
Detailed analysis
- Geographic spread of the industry across North America, and trends associated with changes in the business landscape
- Key success factors for businesses to use location to their advantage
Competitive Forces
Get data and insights on what's driving competition in an industry and the challenges industry operators and new entrants may face, with analysis built around Porter's Five Forces framework.
Analyst insights
The large number of enterprises keeps internal competition fairly high. Cell phone recycling companies compete based on price, quality, reputation and the convenience of recy...
In this chapter (4)
- Concentration
- Barriers to Entry
- Substitutes
- Buyer & Supplier Analysis
Key metrics
- Industry concentration level
- Industry competition level and trend
- Barriers to entry level and trend
- Substitutes level and trend
- Buyer power level and trend
- Supplier power level and trend
Charts
- Market share concentration among the top 4 suppliers from 2019-2024
- Supply chain including upstream supplying industries and downstream buying industries, flow chart
Detailed analysis
- Factors impacting the industry’s level of concentration, such as business distribution, new entrants, or merger and acquisition activity.
- Key success factors for businesses to manage the competitive environment of the industry.
- Challenges that potential industry entrants face such as legal, start-up costs, differentiation, labor/capital intensity and capital expenses.
- Key success factors for potential entrants to overcome barriers to entry.
- Competitive threats from potential substitutes for the industry’s own products and services.
- Key success factors for how successful businesses can compete with substitutes.
- Advantages that buyers have to keep favorable purchasing conditions.
- Advantages that suppliers have to maintain favorable selling conditions.
- Key success factors for how businesses can navigate buyer and supplier power.
Companies
Learn about the performance of the top companies in the industry.
Analyst insights
Major player ecoATM LLC (ecoATM) raised $75.0 million of new equity from the investor Cowen Sustainable Advisors to improve their products amid growing demand for the purchase...
In this chapter
- Market Share Concentration
- Companies
- Company Spotlights
Charts
- Industry market share by company in 2020 through 2024
- Major companies in the industry, including market share, revenue, profit and profit margin in 2024
- Overview of Ecoatm, Llc's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
- Overview of Nextworth Solutions, Inc.'s performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
Detailed analysis
- Description and key data for Ecoatm, Llc, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description and key data for Nextworth Solutions, Inc., and factors influencing its performance in the industry
External Environment
Understand the demographic, economic and regulatory factors that shape how businesses in an industry perform.
Analyst insights
Cell phone recycling companies are subject to a slew of different regulations. These relate to accreditation standards, the environment and occupational health and safety.
In this chapter
- External Drivers
- Regulation & Policy
- Assistance
Key metrics
- Regulation & policy level and trend
- Assistance level and trend
Charts
- Regulation & Policy historical data and forecast (2014-2029)
- Assistance historical data and forecast (2014-2029)
Detailed analysis
- Demographic and macroeconomic factors influencing the industry, including Regulation & Policy and Assistance
- Major types of regulations, regulatory bodies, industry standards or specific regulations impacting requirements for industry operators
- Key governmental and non-governmental groups or policies that may provide some relief for industry operators.
Financial Benchmarks
View average costs for industry operators and compare financial data against an industry's financial benchmarks over time.
Analyst insights
Wages comprise a fairly large share of revenue because workers are necessary to monitor the manufacturing process and communicate with customers. Compensation has crept upwar...
In this chapter
- Cost Structure
- Financial Ratios
- Key Ratios
Key metrics
- Profit margin, and how it compares to the sector-wide margin
- Average wages, and how it compares to the sector-wide average wage
- Largest cost component as a percentage of revenue
- Industry average ratios for days' receivables, industry coverage and debt-to-net-worth ratio
Charts
- Average industry operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2024
- Average sector operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2024
- Investment vs. share of economy
Data tables
- Industry Multiples (2017-2022)
- Industry Tax Structure (2017-2022)
- Income Statement (2017-2022)
- Balance Sheet (2017-2022)
- Liquidity Ratios (2017-2022)
- Coverage Ratios (2017-2022)
- Leverage Ratios (2017-2022)
- Operating Ratios (2017-2022)
- Cash Flow & Debt Service Ratios (2014-2029)
- Revenue per Employee (2014-2029)
- Revenue per Enterprise (2014-2029)
- Employees per Establishment (2014-2029)
- Employees per Enterprise (2014-2029)
- Average Wage (2014-2029)
- Wages/Revenue (2014-2029)
- Establishments per Enterprise (2014-2029)
- IVA/Revenue (2014-2029)
- Imports/Demand (2014-2029)
- Exports/Revenue (2014-2029)
Detailed analysis
- Trends in the cost component for industry operators and their impact on industry costs and profitability
Key Statistics
Industry Data
Data Tables
Including values and annual change:
- Revenue (2014-2029)
- IVA (2014-2029)
- Establishments (2014-2029)
- Enterprises (2014-2029)
- Employment (2014-2029)
- Exports (2014-2029)
- Imports (2014-2029)
- Wages (2014-2029)
Methodology
How are IBISWorld reports created?
IBISWorld has been a leading provider of trusted industry research for over 50 years to the most successful companies worldwide. With offices in Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany and China, we are proud to have local teams of analysts that conduct research, data analysis and forecasting to produce data-driven industry reports.
Our analysts start with official, verified and publicly available sources of data to build the most accurate picture of each industry. Analysts then leverage their expertise and knowledge of the local markets to synthesize trends into digestible content for IBISWorld readers. Finally, each report is reviewed by one of IBISWorld’s editors, who provide quality assurance to ensure accuracy and readability.
IBISWorld relies on human-verified data and human-written analysis to compile each standard industry report. We do not use generative AI tools to write insights, although members can choose to leverage AI-based tools within the platform to generate additional analysis formats.
What data sources do IBISWorld analysts use?
Each industry report incorporates data and research from government databases, industry-specific sources, industry contacts, and our own proprietary database of statistics and analysis to provide balanced, independent and accurate insights.
Key data sources in the US include:
- US Census Bureau
- US Bureau of Labor Statistics
- US International Trade Commission
Analysts also use industry specific sources to complement catch-all sources, although their perspective may focus on a particular organization or representative body, rather than a clear overview of all industry operations. However, when balanced against other perspectives, industry-specific sources provide insights into industry trends.
These sources include:
- Industry and trade associations
- Industry federations or regulators
- Major industry players annual or quarterly filings
Finally, IBISWorld’s global data scientists maintain a proprietary database of macroeconomic and demand drivers, which our analysts use to help inform industry data and trends. They also maintain a database of statistics and analysis on thousands of industries, which has been built over our more than 50-year history and offers comprehensive insights into long-term trends.
How does IBISWorld forecast its data?
IBISWorld’s analysts and data scientists use the sources above to create forecasts for our proprietary datasets and industry statistics. Depending on the dataset, they may use regression analysis, multivariate analysis, time-series analysis or exponential smoothing techniques to project future data for the industry or driver. Additionally, analysts will leverage their local knowledge of industry operating and regulatory conditions to impart their best judgment on the forecast model.
IBISWorld prides itself on being a trusted, independent source of data, with over 50 years of experience building and maintaining rich datasets and forecasting tools. We are proud to be the keystone source of industry information for thousands of companies across the world.
Learn more about our methodology and data sourcing on the Help Center.
Frequently Asked Questions
Unlock comprehensive answers and precise data upon purchase. View purchase options.
What is the market size of the Cell Phone Recycling in the US industry in United States in 2024?
The market size of the Cell Phone Recycling in the US industry in United States is $3.0bn in 2024.
How many businesses are there in the Cell Phone Recycling in the US industry in 2024?
There are 561 businesses in the Cell Phone Recycling in the US industry in United States, which has grown at a CAGR of 6.5 % between 2019 and 2024.
Has the Cell Phone Recycling in the US industry in United States grown or declined over the past 5 years?
The market size of the Cell Phone Recycling in the US industry in United States has been growing at a CAGR of 12.2 % between 2019 and 2024.
What is the forecast growth of the Cell Phone Recycling in the US industry in United States over the next 5 years?
Over the next five years, the Cell Phone Recycling in the US industry in United States is expected to grow.
What are the biggest companies in the Cell Phone Recycling in the US market in United States?
The biggest companies operating in the Cell Phone Recycling market in United States are Ecoatm, Llc and Nextworth Solutions, Inc.
What does the Cell Phone Recycling in the US in United States include?
Refurbishing cell phones and Selling refurbished cell phones are part of the Cell Phone Recycling in the US industry.
Which companies have the highest market share in the Cell Phone Recycling in the US in United States?
The company holding the most market share in United States is Ecoatm, Llc.
How competitive is the Cell Phone Recycling in the US industry in United States?
The level of competition is moderate and increasing in the Cell Phone Recycling in the US industry in United States.
