OUR HISTORY

 

 “Every Day Is Earth Day With Indie Cycle”

“E-waste is a huge and growing problem.  The Electronics Take-back Coalition  estimates the US generates 3.4 million tons, but only recycles around 1 million tons or less than 30%.”

Indie Cycle, LLC is a small collector of electronic waste (e-waste) based in Coventry that provides e-waste drop-off services to the public in RI, CT, and nearby MA.   

The business concept was incorporated in June 2010 as an answer to how to dispose of electronic waste in an environmentally safe way and ultimately divert it from landfills.  This business plan involved spontaneous curbside pickups of TVs in and around Providence, RI and several local drop-off events. Less than a decade ago e-waste had been disposed of in dumpsters or left on sidewalks without a resource for proper disposal.  Indie Cycle, among others, has answered that need.

Our business plan began to change in 2012 when the company started focusing on a more efficient way to increase the amount of e-waste collected.  Our intent was to “go where people go” to lend our services more exposure.  We bought our first truck and contacted local farmers markets and other environmental groups to sponsor free e-waste recycling events during their hours of operation.  This gave Indie Cycle year-round options, and the business began to expand to libraries, businesses, and local municipalities.

The purchase of a second truck made it possible to hold two events on the same day.  Not only did Indie Cycle work in more locations it also provided awareness and an educational resource for the public as well.  Indie Cycle reported a total weight collected from 217,000 pounds in 2013 to 315,600 pounds in 2014 simply by providing more drop off locations. 

 As the weight collected increased it became necessary for Indie Cycle, LLC to streamline the transfer of materials in a more efficient way and entered a partnership with Office Recycling Solutions (ORS), a R2 certified company, on July 1, 2013.  Office Recycling Solutions, LLC in Rhode Island, provides a clearing house for all types of e-waste that is sorted and sent to recycling processors that break everything down to basic materials for reuse in manufacturing.  This larger collector, ORS, receives most materials collected by Indie Cycle, LLC and is our company’s major source of income.  We now refer to each other as “sister” companies.  

 In 2019 Indie Cycle reported over 1 million pounds of e-waste for the first time and has continued to increase that number.  We now operate out of Coventry RI with four trucks and a combination of services to most municipalities in RI with either drop off events or stationary container units.

It is with great appreciation for the peoples of Rhode Island that we continue to grow and add to the betterment of our small piece of the enviroment.