Embracing Different Ways to Give Back: How ReMA Member Sunnking Prioritizes and Promotes Its Local Community

In 2010, NY-based electronics recycler Sunnking launched e-Scrap for Camp, an annual electronics recycling fundraiser. The fundraiser benefits Camp Good Days and Special Times, which supports children, families, and adults impacted by cancer or sickle cell anemia through residential camping programs and year-round recreational and support activities, in the Rochester, Buffalo, and Syracuse, New York areas. Sunnking's annual program partners with local businesses to collect and recycle outdated electronics, transforming retired devices into meaningful financial support.

"I think one of the biggest issues in the electronics recycling industry is that people don't know what to do with their used electronics," said Adam Shine, "So, we decided to create this program targeted to companies in the communities we serve. We aren't looking for the company's electronics, though they can add their own, but rather their employees' electronics. We wanted to make it easy and convenient for them to recycle and know their efforts were going to help families impacted by cancer."

This year Sunnking added to its charitable efforts by launching Recycle for Ronald fundraisers in partnership with the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Western New York. Modeled after the e-Scrap for Camp fundraisers, businesses gathered electronics and then Sunnking donated a portion of the proceeds to Ronald McDonald House Charities of Rochester & WNY for every pound of electronics recycled.

"The idea was you could have your volume benefit Camp Good Days, the Ronald McDonald House, or both organizations," Shine said. "We wanted to expand what we were doing from a community focused perspective."

The company did provide Ronald McDonald House Charities of Western New York with a donation of over three thousand dollars, with money raised through the company's fundraisers. However, Sunnking found that the new program took away from e-Scrap for Camp, so the company decided to shift gears.

"We knew people were excited to donate to both organizations, but we didn't want to confuse anyone with similar fundraisers, so we decided to pivot," Shine said. "Our plan is to sponsor rooms in the Ronald McDonald House in Buffalo and Rochester, which we have locations in. We want to make them into total tech rooms and put in TVs, gaming systems, iPads, and other things that will make the room fun for the people who need to visit them."

Meanwhile e-Scrap for Camp is entering its 16th year. The campaign has recycled more than 6.8 million pounds of electronics and generated over $160,000 in donations for Camp Good Days.

According to Shine, one of the biggest barriers to entry for the public when it comes to the electronics recycling industry is wiping data. People may choose to keep their old devices at home because they still have photos and data, and it's not always clear what's going to happen to their old phones or computers once they get recycled. Fundraisers like Sunnking's help shed a light on the industry to the public.

"I believe in our work within the communities that we serve," Shine said. "It's important to share our story with the public, shed more light on the industry, and help teach the community what to do with their devices. Fundraisers are a great way to build trust within your local community."

For electronics recyclers looking to get involved in their communities, Shine recommends reaching out to local nonprofit organizations.

"There are a lot of organizations that need low-cost or no-cost devices, whether it's laptops, TVs, iPads, monitors, or something else," he said. "I think if you can extend the useful life of a device that's the best form of recycling, and when you can do it and make a meaningful, positive impact in your community it's so rewarding to do so."

Photo by Jack Church on Unsplash.

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