Comprenew
Comprenew is a Grand Rapids, Michigan-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit providing certified electronics recycling, secure IT asset disposition, data destruction, and refurbished electronics retail to corporate, government, and consumer customers across the Midwest while running digital-equity and workforce-development programs.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1986
- HeadquartersGrand Rapids, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
What Comprenew does
Comprenew is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit electronics refurbisher and recycler founded in 1986 and headquartered in Grand Rapids, Michigan, with a secondary geographic footprint across the Upper Peninsula, Northern Wisconsin, and the broader Midwest. The organization provides certified electronics recycling, secure IT asset disposition (ITAD), mobile hard-drive shredding, asset recovery, vape-device disposition, and retail sales of refurbished computers, laptops, tablets, and accessories. It serves roughly 2,700 corporate customers — primarily in financial, medical, and legal industries requiring HIPAA, NIST, e-Stewards, and R2 compliance — as well as individual consumers, small businesses, municipalities, and underserved families in West Michigan. Comprenew is the only nonprofit in the world certified to both e-Stewards and R2 standards, and operates from one of only 70 e-Stewards facilities globally.
The company's processing operation is built around the Makor cloud-based workflow optimization system, which electronically tags and tracks every device from intake through final disposition, supporting chain-of-custody auditing, data-destruction certification, hard-drive processing, and refurbishment-or-disassembly routing. Distribution combines three to five physical retail storefronts in West Michigan, more than 14 e-waste collection sites, the Comprenew 2 You statewide home-and-small-business pickup service, corporate field sales with nationwide logistics, and an online storefront at shopcomprenew.org. Beyond recycling, Comprenew runs workforce development and digital-equity programs — including Comprenew Connect, This Is My Computer (TIMC), Connect All Michigan Program (CAMP), and PureMAPP municipal collection partnerships — under which approximately 65% of staff come from populations facing employment barriers and more than 600 community members have been trained since 2015.
Revenue is generated across three streams: sales of refurbished electronics through retail and online channels, fee-for-service ITAD and certified recycling contracts with enterprise customers, and recycling processing fees including specialized handling for lithium-ion batteries and vape devices. The organization is supported by foundation funding (Grand Rapids Community Foundation, Doug & Maria DeVos Foundation, Herman Miller Cares, Peter C. and Emajean Cook Foundation), strategic operating partnerships (Goodwill of Northern Wisconsin and Upper Michigan, Impact Recyclers network, e-Stewards Digital Equity Program), and individual donations, with surplus reinvested into job-readiness training, computer literacy education, and digital-equity initiatives.
Comprenew firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Comprenew
- Legal name
- Comprenew
- Website
- https://comprenew.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1986
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Comprenew is a Grand Rapids, Michigan-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit providing certified electronics recycling, secure IT asset disposition, data destruction, and refurbished electronics retail to corporate, government, and consumer customers across the Midwest while running digital-equity and workforce-development programs.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Comprenew industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Electronics Recycling Services
- NAICS
- Waste Treatment and Disposal (5622), Recyclable Material Merchant Wholesalers (423930)
- SIC
- Retail-Computer & Computer Software Stores (5734)
- akta.pro primary industry
- IT Asset Disposition (ITAD) Services (Data-Bearing Asset Handling) (BPALAIAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Data Destruction Services (On-site/Off-site, Media Sanitization) (BPALAIAC), IT Asset Disposition (ITAD) & Secure Data Erasure (BPAEAOAK), Reuse & Resale / Recommerce Operations (EUAIANAC), Electronics & Tech Recommerce (Refurbished Devices) (CRAFAGAC)
Keywords
Where Comprenew is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Grand Rapids
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices5 records
Markets served
Comprenew business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Refurbished Electronics Sales: Sale of refurbished computers, laptops, cell phones, tablets, and accessories through 3 retail locations in West Michigan. Revenue generated funds community programs.
- ITAD and Electronics Recycling Services: Corporate IT asset disposition services including secure data destruction, pickup logistics, and certified electronics recycling. Services compliant with e-Stewards, R2, NIST, and HIPAA standards.
- Recycling Processing Fees: Fees charged for processing and recycling electronics, including specialized handling for lithium-ion batteries and hazardous materials requiring out-of-state processing.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Free recycling on Earth Day for customers with April purchase receipt |
| Unit Pricing | One time/ perpetual license | Standard Desktop Computer Package |
| Unit Pricing | One time/ perpetual license | Laptop Voucher Discount |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | TIMC Computer Package |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels5 records
Comprenew product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Comprenew is a nonprofit electronics refurbisher and recycler that provides certified electronics recycling, secure IT asset disposition (ITAD), mobile hard drive shredding, asset recovery, and nationwide pickup and logistics to corporate and consumer customers. It sells affordable refurbished computers, laptops, cell phones, tablets, and accessories through retail stores and an online shop, and channels proceeds into job-readiness, computer literacy, and digital equity programs for underserved communities.
Product overview
Comprenew is a nonprofit electronics refurbisher and recycler offering a comprehensive suite of services centered around certified electronics recycling and secure IT asset disposition. The core offerings include Electronics Recycling, Secure IT Asset Disposition (ITAD), Mobile Shredding & Onsite Services, Nationwide Pick-Up & Logistics, and Asset Recovery. These are complemented by retail operations selling Refurbished Electronics and the Comprenew 2 You pickup service. Supporting programs include PureMAPP collection sites and Christmas Lights Collection. The company maintains the highest international standards (e-Stewards and R2 certifications) for data security and environmental protection.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Comprenew 2 You: Pickup service for electronics recycling and delivery of refurbished products to homes and small businesses across Michigan.
- Connect All Michigan Program (CAMP)
- Comprenew Connect
- This Is My Computer (TIMC)
- PureMAPP
Products and services
- Electronics Recycling Certified electronics recycling service that safely processes and disposes of electronic waste, including specialized handling for lithium-ion batteries and hazardous materials requiring out-of-state processing, serving corporate customers, municipalities, and individual consumers.
- Secure IT Asset Disposition (ITAD) Secure IT asset disposition service ensuring confidential data is destroyed and electronic devices are properly recycled or refurbished, with chain-of-custody documentation, certified to e-Stewards, R2, NAID, NIST 800-171, and HIPAA standards for enterprise customers.
- Mobile Shredding & Onsite Services On-site hard drive shredding and technology decommissioning services for secure data destruction performed at customer locations across the enterprise customer base.
- Nationwide Pick-Up & Logistics Transportation and logistics services for collecting unwanted electronic material from homes and businesses across the state, supporting both enterprise bulk recycling and small business / consumer pickups.
- Vape Device Recycling and Disposition (VapeRenew) Specialized recycling and disposition services for vape devices and electronic cigarettes, with handling for embedded lithium-ion batteries.
- Asset Recovery Recovery and value extraction from end-of-life electronic assets for corporate customers, including refurbishment-for-resale and component recovery.
- Refurbished Electronics (Shop) Affordable refurbished computers, laptops, cell phones, tablets, and accessories sold at retail locations and online, sold with Windows OS, Microsoft Office, and warranty options.
- Comprenew 2 You Electronics recycling pickup service and refurbished-product delivery service for homes and small businesses across Michigan, offering personalized pickup and delivery experiences.
- PureMAPP Municipal Collection Program Partnership program with Michigan municipalities providing year-round permanent electronics collection sites throughout the state for resident drop-off.
- Christmas Lights Collection Seasonal collection program for recycling old and non-working Christmas lights.
- Comprenew Connect Computer Literacy Program Free computer literacy class for low-income persons in West Michigan, with graduates receiving a voucher to purchase a refurbished computer at a discounted rate.
- Connect All Michigan Program (CAMP) Initiative offering free and reduced-cost computers to low-income K-12 students in Michigan who lack home technology, supporting distance learning during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- This Is My Computer (TIMC) Computers-for-parents outreach program teaching computer skills to parents of school-age children, with a $50 payment-plan option for a full computer package including monitor, accessories, and 1-year warranty.
Quantifiable outcome
- Recycled over 50 million pounds of electronic material since 1986
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Comprenew
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
Comprenew technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature1 record
Comprenew partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- First Steps KentcorePartnership to offer technical assistance and discounts on technology to childcare providers in Kent County affected by COVID-19 pandemic. First Steps Kent received federal CARES Act funding and partnered with Comprenew to meet technology needs.
- Goodwill of Northern Wisconsin and Upper Michigan (Goodwill NWUM)corePartnership to expand electronics recycling and refurbishing services to Upper Peninsula of Michigan and Northern Wisconsin through development of retail stores, e-waste drop-off locations, and processing center. Goodwill NWUM provides existing infrastructure including 6 retail stores, 2 training centers, and logistical collection fleet.
- e-Stewards Digital Equity ProgramcoreFounding partner in e-Stewards initiative that incentivizes large corporate partners to donate working electronics to e-Stewards certified facilities for refurbishment and distribution to people in need at discounted rates.
- Impact RecyclerscoreJoined Impact Recyclers, a nationwide network of socially-minded certified (R2 and/or e-Stewards) electronic recyclers that recycle, refurbish, and resell e-waste to create jobs for people who struggle to enter the workforce. Network supported by REDF and includes Blue Star Recyclers, Isidore Recycling, RecycleForce, and others.
- Grand Rapids Public Schools Parent UniversitycoreLaunched Comprenew Connect computer literacy program in partnership with Parent University, offering classes for low-income parents. Program has expanded to include Grandville Avenue Arts & Humanities Cook Library, Inner City Christian Fellowship, and United Methodist Community House.
- Grand Rapids Community FoundationminorFunding partner for Comprenew Connect program expansion to additional schools and organizations.
- Herman Miller CaresminorFunding partner for Comprenew Connect program expansion.
- Doug & Maria DeVos FoundationminorFunding partner for Comprenew Connect program expansion.
- Peter C. and Emajean Cook FoundationminorFunding partner for Comprenew Connect program expansion.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves9 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Comprenew competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Electronic Recyclers International (ERI): Largest U.S. e-Stewards certified ITAD and e-waste recycler with nationwide processing facilities. Directly competes for enterprise ITAD contracts and offers comparable certified electronics recycling, data destruction, and asset recovery services.
- Goodwill Industries International: National nonprofit operator of electronics recycling/reuse programs through affiliate network (e.g., Goodwill NWUM partners directly with Comprenew). Directly competes for and partners around similar social-impact-driven ITAD and recommerce services.
- Sims Lifecycle Services: Global ITAD and electronics lifecycle services division of Sims Metal Management. Competes for enterprise ITAD contracts with comparable certified data destruction, recycling, and asset recovery services at larger scale.
Direct peers
- Cascade Asset Management: ITAD and electronics lifecycle services provider serving enterprise customers across the U.S. Comparable service mix (secure data destruction, asset recovery, certified recycling) and customer overlap in regulated industries.
- HOBI International: Mid-market ITAD and IT asset management firm offering certified electronics recycling, data destruction, and refurbished resales. Similar scale and certification footprint as Comprenew.
- Blue Star Recyclers: Non-profit e-Stewards/R2 certified electronics recycler using the workforce-development model and a network member alongside Comprenew within Impact Recyclers. Directly comparable mission, customer base, and operating model.
- RecycleForce: Non-profit social enterprise e-Stewards/R2 certified electronics recycler providing ITAD and refurbished resale, employing returning citizens. Co-member of Impact Recyclers network with overlapping mission and services.
- Isidore Recycling: Faith-based nonprofit electronics recycler and ITAD provider employing individuals with barriers to employment. Fellow Impact Recyclers member with directly comparable social-mission operating model.
Emerging players
- Apple Recycling Program: OEM-operated trade-in and recycling program for Apple devices that competes for consumer device return volume and overlaps with refurbished resale space that Comprenew monetizes via its retail stores.
- Back Market: Online recommerce marketplace for refurbished electronics. Competes with Comprenew's refurbished electronics retail channel (shopcomprenew.org, 4 retail storefronts) for consumer demand in the secondary device market.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Comprenew social profiles
Digital presenceComprenew compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance7 records
Comprenew financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Comprenew leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
Comprenew funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Comprenew M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Comprenew
What does Comprenew do?
Comprenew is a nonprofit electronics refurbisher and recycler that provides certified electronics recycling, secure IT asset disposition (ITAD), mobile hard drive shredding, asset recovery, and nationwide pickup and logistics to corporate and consumer customers. It sells affordable refurbished computers, laptops, cell phones, tablets, and accessories through retail stores and an online shop, and channels proceeds into job-readiness, computer literacy, and digital equity programs for underserved communities.
Is Comprenew a public or private company?
Comprenew is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Comprenew founded?
Comprenew was founded in 1986. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Comprenew based?
Comprenew is headquartered in Grand Rapids, United States, in the North America region.
How does Comprenew make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Refurbished Electronics Sales are the primary driver. The others are ITAD and Electronics Recycling Services and recycling Processing Fees.
Who are Comprenew's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Electronic Recyclers International (ERI), Goodwill Industries International and Sims Lifecycle Services. Direct peers are Cascade Asset Management, HOBI International, Blue Star Recyclers, RecycleForce and Isidore Recycling. Emerging players are Apple Recycling Program and Back Market.
Does Comprenew have an API?
No public API is recorded for Comprenew.
What industry is Comprenew in?
Comprenew's product category is Electronics Recycling Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPALAIAA, IT Asset Disposition (ITAD) Services (Data-Bearing Asset Handling), with a secondary code of BPALAIAC, Data Destruction Services (On-site/Off-site, Media Sanitization). Its NAICS code is 5622 and its SIC code is 5734.