RecycleForce

What RecycleForce does

RecycleForce is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit employment social enterprise founded in 2006 and headquartered at 816 N. Sherman Drive, Indianapolis, Indiana. Its dual mission is to provide paid transitional employment and job training to returning citizens (formerly incarcerated individuals) while operating a secure electronics and materials recycling business that funds and employs that program. The organization has processed more than 100 million pounds of electronic waste since inception and recycles approximately 97% of inbound material at its new 126,000-square-foot facility, which has the capacity to process 12 million pounds of e-waste and serve up to 600 returning citizens annually.

The technology stack combines manual electronics de-manufacturing and hard-drive physical destruction under RIOS:2016 (Recycling Industry Operating Standard) certification with T-Tech optical sorting for material separation (steel, copper, plastic) and a new feedstock-preprocessing capability for rare-earth and critical battery element recovery developed in partnership with ReElement Technologies and the U.S. Department of Energy's AMES National Laboratory. Adjacent service lines include solar panel recycling for utility and corporate customers and the Keys2Work hiring platform, which connects graduates of the transitional employment program to permanent employer placements.

RecycleForce's revenue model is a hybrid of (1) transaction-fee electronics recycling services for businesses, government agencies, municipalities, hospitals, universities, and reverse logistics providers, (2) consumer drop-off donations ($20–$25 per TV or refrigerant-bearing device, free for other items), (3) federal and state workforce development grants (over $20 million across seven competitive U.S. Department of Labor awards since 2011, plus a $5 million Lilly Endowment grant in 2022 and a $4 million DOL grant in 2024), and (4) corporate and foundation donations, including a $300,000 KeyBank Foundation investment. Go-to-market is community-led, driven by corporate partnerships, community recycling events, referrals from the Indiana Department of Correction's HIRE program for participant intake, and earned media from high-profile government visits. Randomized controlled trial data showing a 6.2-percentage-point recidivism reduction and net community benefit of $13,297 per participant (versus an $11,057 program cost) provides evidence-based support for the model.

Name

RecycleForce

Legal name

RecycleForce

Website

https://recycleforce.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2006

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

RecycleForce is a 501(c)(3) employment social enterprise in Indianapolis that provides paid transitional employment and job training to formerly incarcerated individuals through secure electronics and materials recycling, having processed over 100 million pounds of e-waste since 2006.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Electronics Recycling and Workforce Development Services

NAICS

Materials Recovery Facilities (562920), Waste Collection (56211)

SIC

Refuse Systems (4953), Hazardous Waste Management (4955)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYBPALAIAE

Electronics Recycling & Material Recovery (Dismantling/Separation)

Business & Public Services/Waste Management & Remediation Services/Electronic Waste (E-waste) Recycling & IT Asset Disposition (ITAD)

SECONDARYBPALAIAH

Consumer Electronics Recycling (TVs, AV, Small Electronics)

Business & Public Services/Waste Management & Remediation Services/Electronic Waste (E-waste) Recycling & IT Asset Disposition (ITAD)

SECONDARYEUAIAIAL

PV & Energy Device Recycling (Solar Panels, Inverters, Power Electronics)

Energy, Utilities & Environment/Environmental Services (Waste Management, Recycling & Remediation)/E-waste & Battery Recycling

SECONDARYHSAKALAJ

Recycling & E-Waste Collection/Hauling

Home & Personal Services/Moving, Storage & Relocation Services/Junk Removal, Hauling & Cleanout Services

Keywords

• Electronics recycling services
• Workforce development programs
• Transitional employment training
• E-waste data destruction
• Rare earth recovery

Headquarters

HQ city

Indianapolis

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Electronics Recycling Services: Revenue generated from processing electronics for businesses, government agencies, municipalities, hospitals, universities, and reverse logistics providers. Revenue from selling de-manufactured sub-materials (steel, plastic, copper, aluminum, circuit boards, precious metals) back into manufacturing supply chain.
2. Federal and State Workforce Development Grants: RecycleForce has received 7 competitive DOL grants totaling more than $20 million since 2011, including Enhanced Transitional Jobs Demonstration, Training to Work, Reentry Program, Pathway Home, Young Adult Reentry Program, and Growth Opportunities grants.
3. Foundation and Corporate Donations: KeyBank provided $300,000 investment for Financial Wellness classroom; Shah Happiness Foundation funding for naming dedication; various corporate sponsorships and donations.
4. Consumer Drop-off Fees: Requested donations for CRT TVs ($25), flatscreen TVs ($25), projection TVs ($25), and refrigerant-bearing devices ($20) to cover hazardous material handling costs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

RecycleForce is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit employment social enterprise that operates electronics and materials recycling (including secure data destruction, de-manufacturing, and rare-earth element recovery) while delivering paid transitional employment, job training, certifications, and wraparound support services to formerly incarcerated individuals. The organization has recycled more than 100 million pounds of e-waste since 2006 and currently serves up to 600 returning citizens annually through its Indianapolis facility.

Product overview

RecycleForce is an employment social enterprise operating as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that combines two core service lines: (1) workforce development and training for returning citizens from incarceration, and (2) electronics and materials recycling. The organization provides paid transitional employment and job training through its Workforce Training program, complemented by direct placement via the Keys2Work platform. Its Electronics and Materials Recycling service handles secure data destruction and e-waste processing. Recent expansions include Solar Panel Recycling for utilities and corporate customers, and Rare-Earth Element Recovery through a partnership with ReElement Technologies and the Department of Energy's AMES National Lab. The KeyBank Financial Wellness Classroom adds financial literacy training to the workforce program. Since 2006, RecycleForce has recycled more than 100 million pounds of electronic waste.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Keys2Work: A workforce hiring program associated with RecycleForce that helps connect employers with formerly incarcerated individuals seeking employment opportunities.

Products and services

• Electronics and Materials Recycling Secure, responsible recycling and data destruction services for electronics (computers, phones, appliances) and other materials (plastics, aluminum, copper, brass, nickel, Styrofoam) for businesses, government agencies, municipalities, hospitals, universities, and reverse logistics providers. Achieves a 97% recycling rate and has processed over 100 million pounds of electronic waste since 2006.
• Workforce Training Program Paid transitional employment and job training program for returning citizens from prison or jail, providing work experience, industry-recognized certifications (HAZWOPER 40, RIOS), on-the-job training, job placement services, professional and peer mentoring, high school equivalency tutoring, college credit assistance, housing and driver's license reinstatement support, substance abuse and mental health counseling, and financial literacy training.
• Solar Panel Recycling
• Rare-Earth Element Recovery Aggregation and preprocessing of high-concentrate feedstock of battery elements (lithium, cobalt, nickel, manganese) and permanent magnets for rare-earth oxide production to feed the domestic supply chain, in partnership with ReElement Technologies and the DOE's AMES National Lab.
• Keys2Work Workforce Hiring Platform

Quantifiable outcome

• Reduced recidivism by 6.2 percentage points
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• ReElement Technologies LLCcoreTechnology or Integration · 14 September 2022Partnership with American Resources Corporation's ReElement Technologies division for rare earth and critical battery element recovery from end-of-life electronics. RecycleForce aggregates and preprocesses high-concentrate feedstock of battery elements or permanent magnets for ReElement's patented chromatographic separation technology to produce lithium, cobalt, nickel, manganese and rare earth oxides for domestic supply chain.
• IvyTech Community CollegeminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 27 May 2022Partnership with Jim Barnes providing scholarship program for program participants attending IvyTech. First $1,000 scholarship awarded to Ms. Jamea Huspon. Partnership supports educational advancement and credentials for returning citizens.
• Indianapolis Motor SpeedwayminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for recycling LED panels from the Indianapolis 500 scoring pylon upgrade. RecycleForce collected 5,280 LED panels across five box truck trips, de-manufactured and sorted materials into aluminum, copper, circuit boards and plastic for recycling.
• Trusted MentorsminorOthersTrusted Mentors trains men and women to serve as role models and mentors for youth and adults in need. The organization has supported RecycleForce with dozens of mentors who routinely meet with employees to offer guidance, support and encouragement.
• AMES National LaboratorycoreTechnology or IntegrationPartnership with the Department of Energy's Advanced Materials and Manufacturing Technologies Office (AMMTO) and AMES National Lab for rare-earth element recovery demonstration. RecycleForce serves as a pilot site for innovative technology to recover rare earth elements from electronic waste, supporting domestic supply chain development.
• Indianapolis Metropolitan Police DepartmentminorOthersCommunity partnership where officers engage positively with program participants. Notable example of Officer Demetric Smith helping a participant whose car broke down outside the facility, demonstrating community support for the re-entry mission.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Rubicon Technologies: Software-enabled waste and recycling services provider connecting generators to recyclers and haulers, with electronics-recycling and ITAD-adjacent offerings. Comparable in adjacent category rather than as a direct electronics-recycling competitor; pertinent to RecycleForce's broader waste and recycling infrastructure.
• Sims Lifecycle Services (SLS): Global ITAD arm of Sims Metal Management providing enterprise-scale electronics recycling, data destruction, and asset recovery through a multi-site network. Competes for the same enterprise IT asset disposition RFPs as RecycleForce but at far larger scale and with a much broader metals-recycling parent.
• Iron Mountain: Public information-management company with a large IT Asset Disposition business handling secure data destruction and electronics recycling for enterprise clients globally. Overlaps with RecycleForce on secure data destruction and enterprise electronics recycling at much greater scale and geographic reach.

Direct peers

• ERI (Electronic Recyclers International): One of the largest US e-waste recyclers, operating multiple certified ITAD and electronics-recycling facilities nationwide. Competes with RecycleForce for the same enterprise IT asset disposal and consumer drop-off work and offers the regulatory certifications (RIOS, R2, NAID) that RecycleForce also holds.
• Sunnking: New York–based electronics recycling and ITAD company with drop-off locations, corporate pickup, and certified data destruction — a direct analog to RecycleForce's electronics recycling line in a different regional market.
• Cascade Asset Management: US ITAD and corporate electronics recycler with certified data destruction and reuse/refurbishment capabilities. Directly comparable to RecycleForce's enterprise IT asset disposal and de-manufacturing services.
• Quantum Lifecycle Partners: Canadian ITAD and electronics recycler operating secure processing facilities serving enterprise, government, and consumer customers. Comparable operating model — manual de-manufacturing, certified data destruction, materials resale — to RecycleForce.
• Blue Star Recyclers: Colorado-based nonprofit social enterprise that employs people with disabilities and other barriers to work in electronics recycling. Closest organizational analog to RecycleForce — same dual mission of workforce development + e-waste processing, similar collection/drop-off and corporate pickup operations.

Emerging players

• SolarCycle: Specialized solar panel recycler building high-throughput PV recycling capacity as US solar fleets reach end-of-life. Closest peer to RecycleForce's emerging solar-panel recycling offering to utilities and corporate customers.
• Cyclic Materials: Canada-based rare earth element recycling company using hydrometallurgy to recover magnet-grade REE oxides from end-of-life electronics and motors. Closest direct peer to RecycleForce's ReElement Technologies / AMES Lab rare-earth recovery pilot — same upstream mission of closing the domestic critical-minerals loop.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/RecycleForce
• Xx.com/RecycleForce
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/recycleforce

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds4 records

Investors3 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about RecycleForce