Key Points:
• Assurant, a company that refurbishes and recycles old devices, has opened a new 259,000-square-foot facility in Mt. Juliet, Tennessee, which will process and repurpose millions of devices yearly.
• The facility employs around 800 people who test, refurbish, and prepare devices for new users or responsibly recycle them if they’re beyond repair.
• In 2023 alone, Assurant’s efforts kept 1.16M metric tons of carbon emissions out of the atmosphere, making a significant impact on sustainability.
As the tech world continues to evolve, it’s fascinating to explore the behind-the-scenes processes that keep our devices running smoothly. Recently, I had the opportunity to learn more about Assurant’s new facilities, which play a crucial role in breathing new life into old iPhones, iPads, and Macs.
Assurant’s latest facility, located in Mt. Juliet, Tennessee, is a 259,000-square-foot Innovation and Device Care Center that doubles the size of their previous site. This massive facility is designed to process and repurpose millions of devices yearly, employing around 800 people who work tirelessly to test, refurbish, and prepare devices for new users or responsibly recycle them if they’re beyond repair.
What’s impressive is the scale and sophistication of Assurant’s device lifecycle process. The facility is equipped with AI-powered automation, robotics, and machine learning to enhance efficiency and quality. From diagnostics to software wipes, to component replacement and beyond, each step is part of a streamlined process designed to give devices a new purpose, often extending their lives by years.
But Assurant’s efforts go beyond just refurbishing devices. The company is also making a significant investment in the future of the Tennessee region. A $100,000 grant to Middle Tennessee State University will help fund the Assurant Engineering Innovation Lab, which will support the training of future engineers in mechatronics and automation. This investment underscores the ongoing shift toward a circular economy in tech, where keeping devices in circulation as long as possible is both a business model and an environmental mission.
The next time you trade in an iPhone or iPad, remember that it likely ends up in a place like Assurant’s repair center, where it’s given a chance to power another person’s work – or at least help spare the planet a few more grams of waste. As the tech world continues to evolve, it’s exciting to see companies like Assurant leading the charge in sustainability and innovation.
Actionable Tip: Consider trading in your old devices responsibly and choosing a refurbisher like Assurant to give them a new life. You can also explore Apple’s trade-in program, which allows you to trade in your old devices for a discount on a new one.
Don’t forget to check out some new iPhone Tutorials.