What’s SecondRotation?
4 09 2007For more on the company I’m working with right now:
We’re a local startup based in Waltham that’s working to keep old electronics out of landfills by offering cash for them. Here’s How it Works:
1) Quote
Go to http://www.secondrotation.com and find your device. We’ll ask you a couple of quick questions, and ask you to tell about its condition - 1 to 4 stars. Click “Calculate” and Bang - there’s what we pay you in Cold, Hard Cash!
2) Ship It - It’s Free!
Wrap it up, Drop it in a box and call DHL at 1-800-CALL-DHL from anywhere in the United States and they’ll come to you to pick it up - No Hassles, and No Charge!
3) Cash It In!
When we get it, we do a quick check to make sure all’s well, then Cut you a Check which’ll be in your mailbox in 2 weeks or less.
Take that money and put it toward something New and Shiny, the children, the mortgage, (you know what to do with it! 
)
And, if you manage to actually trade in enough stuff to get that next gizmo for free, we’ll send an email to that certain someone, (you know who I’m talking about) certifying that this time, you did indeed manage to get this Shiny New Doodad without a penny in new outlay, (think how that’d go over! ).
3a) Come on Back!
And when that Shiny New Doodad is not so shiny and new anymore, come on back to http://www.secondrotation.com and Spin Us Again!
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If you’ve read this far down, here’s a little bit more about what we’re up to. Right now, the average American throws away the equivalent of 2 laptops, 3 iPods and 3 cellphones each and every year; containing some of the most toxic and non-biodegradable materials on the planet.
By making it easier to get cash out of old consumer electronics, we magnify the impact of sustainability by helping folks participate in the mission whether they care about it or not, (i.e. if you care only about the cash, fine, here’s the cash - if you care about the mission too, fabulous - here’s cash and a mission! ) and thus, just like Ben & Jerry’s, The Body Shop and others, we put the power of business to work in making a social difference.
And yes, just like both of those and other values-led companies, we will indeed be making money from what we’re doing. And also, as we grow, we’ll be increasing the impact we’re all having in keeping these materials out of landfills, our groundwater and the food our children eat - not a bad day at the office, at all!
If you have any questions, comments, etc, don’t hesitate to comment, or ping me at dylan [at] dylanhunter.com. Would be more than happy to answer!
Thanks,
Dylan
The last issue of National Geographic Magazine has an excellent article about the problems with disposing of electronics. Do you recycle yourself, or ship to someone else? Sounds like you have a good business plan.
I saw your intro on Ned.com and read your blog. I hope we connect on Ned or in other areas where doing good takes good thinking and hard work by many people.
Thanks Dan, looking forward to doing more on Ned.com myself!
As to SR, afraid they’re a “they” now, (i.e. no longer working with them) but re: your question, they recycle via partners. One of the best wrt doing a truly superb job in making sure the absolute maximum of materials stay out of landfills is a company in Michigan called ReCellular. Have only traded VM’s with their CEO, but from what I’ve seen, he’s tremendously personally motivated in the fight against e-Waste, and the impact they have made over the 17 yrs they’ve been in business is enormous! Talk to you soon, Dylan.
secondrotation is a great idea but you are too slow to pay people, i know from experience and know it is’nt an isolated incident.
@mrproper: Don’t disagree. Unfortunately, as of Jan 2nd of ‘08, I’m no longer with the company, (and afraid the mission’s at least not as strong as once it was) so afraid you’ll have to take it up with them - sorry. The good part is there are certainly several companies popping up to help out with the issue of eWaste, so you should certainly be able to find the right mix for you between company motivation and service level, (just do a search for “sell [what you have]” and you should find them).
Best of luck, and if saving the planet was what intrigued you, stay in touch - hopefully I’ll be starting something up soon, (afraid was stupid enough to sign a non-compete with SR, so barred from doing something in the electronics trade-in space for a bit, but there are still plenty of mission-based things that need doing!
).