Why We Exist

The environmental impact of consumer products has become a compelling consideration for a broad constellation of stakeholders in society. As a result, we have witnessed a growing number of manufacturer- and retailer-led product take-back initiatives. To this end, large firms including Best Buy[i], Mattel[ii], Levi’s[iii], and IKEA[iv] have all announced programs intended to allow for customer returns of their products, thereby diverting these goods from landfills and recuperating materials for recycling or reintegration into the value chain.

While these efforts are laudable, they currently cover only a small portion of overall retail sales and vary in the details of administration. In keeping with the mantra inherent in corporate social responsibility that business can ‘do well by doing good’, we believe that there is a substantial opportunity to mobilize broader adoption of take-back activities and succeed financially in doing so.

[i] “Best Buy customers are part of the solution to e-waste”. https://corporate.bestbuy.com/best-buy-customers-are-part-of-the-solution-to-e-waste/

[ii] “Mattel Launches New Toy Takeback Program Called Mattel PlayBack”. https://corporate.mattel.com/news/mattel-launches-new-toy-takeback-program-called-mattel-playback

[iii] “Levi’s wants your old jeans back”. https://www.fastcompany.com/90559552/levis-wants-your-old-jeans-back

[iv] “Ikea to buy back used furniture in recycling push”. https://www.bbc.com/news/business-54531619