LivAway Suites Opens Third Location in Utah

VINEYARD, Utah, Oct. 8, 2025  — LivAway Suites has announced the opening of its newest property in Vineyard, Utah, marking the brand’s third Utah location and ninth open hotel nationally after launching the brand in 2023. The opening reinforces LivAway Suites’ commitment to delivering high-quality, affordable extended-stay lodging in fast-growing U.S. markets and comes as Utah County continues to rank among the nation’s fastest-growing regions.

Utah County’s growth trajectory is reshaping the Wasatch Front. Between July 2023 and July 2024, the county added 21,853 new residents, accounting for 43% of Utah’s total population growth – the highest of any county in the state. Utah county’s population now exceeds 750,000 residents, up more than 13% since 2020, fueled by job creation, in-migration, and housing expansion.

This explosive growth has spurred a surge in demand for flexible lodging options. With nearby institutions such as Brigham Young University (BYU) and Utah Valley University (UVU), and major employers including Qualtrics, Vivint, and several regional healthcare networks, Vineyard has become a key node for workforce, academic, and medical travel.

“Utah County is one of the most dynamic growth markets in the country,” said Kevin Dailey, Chief Operating Officer of LivAway Suites. “Our new Vineyard location positions LivAway Suites to serve the diverse and expanding base of guests here. Traveling nurses, relocating families, construction crews, and university-related travelers all need affordable accommodations that feel like home.”

Though still in the early stages of operation, LivAway Suites’ portfolio of nine open properties has shown performance trending ahead of projections. “These encouraging results reinforce investor and developer confidence in the company’s model, which focuses on delivering well-located, efficiently built extended-stay hotels that provide guests with ‘everything they need and nothing they don’t ®,'” added Dailey.

LivAway Suites operates in what it terms the “upper-economy” extended-stay niche, filling a supply gap between basic economy options and the crowded midscale extended stay segment. Each suite includes a fully equipped in-room kitchen, contemporary Scandinavian-inspired finishes, and streamlined guest technology (self check-in, mobile tools, smart parcel systems).

LivAway Suites executives confirmed that 2026 will include an onslaught of additional openings across the country.

“As an executive team, we are very pleased with what we are seeing from our opened LivAway Suites locations across the country. And we are just getting started,” noted Dailey.

About LivAway Suites

LivAway Suites is a purpose-built, affordable extended-stay hotel brand headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah. Positioned in the “upper-economy” segment, LivAway offers guests essential amenities and a contemporary design focused on simplicity, comfort, and value. The brand’s vertically integrated platform—spanning development, operations, and technology—enables efficient execution and consistent investor returns. For more information, visit www.livawaysuites.com.

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Our Warriors Are Taking Education to New Heights: St. Michael’s Prep to Host Regional Drone Competition 

Keep your eyes on the sky in the coming weeks — you might just see our Warrior’s creativity in action! 

On Nov. 7, 2025, St. Michael’s Prep is proud to host the Advanced Vertical Robotics (AVR) regional competition for the second year in a row. This program, designed for high school students, teaches industry-based skills for long-term workforce development. The purpose of this competition is to challenge students by providing them with a real-world simulation where their team must program a portion of the competition for drone automation, as well as pilot several coordinated drones to achieve a specified goal. 

At St. Michael’s Prep, our team consists of students in the Robotics and Design class, as well as members of the LightSaders, our Upper School Competitive Robotics team. Built upon a solid middle school engineering and science foundation, our Upper School FTC team remains dedicated to advancing in innovation, CAD design, creative builds, and constant evolution, redefining the limits of robotics.  

“As I begin my college search, I was pleasantly surprised to see so much similarity between what the college students are doing and what we have accomplished on the Drone Team. Even much of the equipment was the same.” Henry H., Class of ‘27 

Preparation begins months in advance, with our student engineers and programmers utilizing AI to program drones to make real-time decisions – a process that takes tremendous simulations and iterations to train. Students utilize augmented reality headsets to train and program, as well as practice piloting skills. St. Michael’s Prep is honored to host outstanding students on a campus designed for innovation, featuring indoor drone flight facilities and a commitment to advancing hands-on, future-focused STEM education. 

About St. Michael’s Catholic Preparatory School  

St. Michael’s Catholic Preparatory School is the result of the bold unification of two outstanding Independent Catholic Schools in Southwest Austin: St. Gabriel’s Catholic School, founded in 1999 for grades PK-8, and St. Michael’s Catholic Academy, founded in 1984 for grades 9-12. The unification allows for excellent, innovative programming for students in grades Pre-K3 – 12, specifically: a seamless alignment of curriculum, athletics, fine arts, and STEM; robust and challenging academics with a foundation of Social Emotional Learning, and; a warm and inviting community rooted in Catholic identity.   

Known for their unparalleled dedication to an exceptional experience, St. Michael’s Prep faculty and students alike are recognized through national notable awards and recent State Championships in Basketball, Swimming, Dance and Robotics.  

The “St. Michael’s Prep Difference” is one hallmarked by an independent and innovative educational experience, a deeply committed and vibrant school spirit and culture, and a profoundly unique and transformative fifteen-year journey for every student.  

For more information, visit https://www.smcprep.org.  

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Hawaiian Bros Opens First Hixson Location 

Beloved Island-Inspired Restaurant Says Aloha to Tennessee 

HIXSON, Tenn. (Oct. 6, 2025) – Hawaiian Bros, one of the fastest growing restaurant chains, is opening its first island-inspired Sequoyah location in Hixson, Tenn., opening Oct. 6, 2025. Sequoyah, a multi-unit franchisee, introduces their first Hawaiian Bros Restaurant in the state! 

To celebrate, Hawaiian Bros is hosting a grand opening celebration at their new location in the Hixson area (5118 Hixson Pike) on Oct. 6 at 11 a.m. At the grand opening, the first 100 customers in line will receive a free t-shirt and a Hawaiian Bros gift card ranging from $25-$500 (with purchase), and one lucky winner will win Hawaiian Bros for a year.  

Hawaiian Bros will also host VIP events on Oct. 4 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. First responders, medical personnel, academic staff, students, and local business employees will be treated to a free classic Plate Lunch.  

“We’re thrilled to bring the aloha spirit of Hawaiian Bros to Tennessee just outside of Chattanooga,” said Brion Voges, Owner/Operator of Sequoyah Hospitality. “We look forward to serving fresh, Island-inspired meals and becoming part of the local neighborhood!” 

Hawaiian Bros is known for its island-inspired plate lunch, which offers a variety of juicy chicken or pork glazed with sweet, savory or spicy sauces; macaroni salad, a bed of fluffy steamed white rice or vegetables; and for dessert, a smooth and tropical Dole Soft Serve®. Never relying on freezers or microwaves, the simple menu is prepared with the highest quality, freshest ingredients – unlike any fast-casual restaurant in the area. 

To learn more about Hawaiian Bros and its offerings, visit https://hawaiianbros.com/. 

About Hawaiian Bros 

At Hawaiian Bros, we’re inspired every day to spread the Aloha Spirit; to show kindness and respect, and to treat everyone as ‘ohana – like family, in everything we do. Founded on the principles of honor, inclusion and gratitude, we respect the dignity and self-worth of every team member and guest. We value our differences and celebrate our common ground. And, we say, “thank you” often, emphasizing the positives in our lives every day. Hawaiian Bros owns and operates more than 60 restaurants serving the Aloha spirit in nine states across America and has expanded its franchise opportunities since 2023. 

Hawaiian Bros has earned a variety of prestigious awards since its opening in 2018, including a number one spot on Ingram’s Corporate Report of the Top 100 fastest growing companies and the number seven spot on QSR Magazine’s 40/40 List of America’s Hottest Startup Fast Casuals. Hawaiian Bros has been named QSR Best Brands to Work For and is a multi-year Fast Casual Top 100 Movers & Shakers winner.  For more information, visit www.hawaiianbros.com. 

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PDI Accelerates Convenience AI Adoption with MyPDI and New Loyalty Capabilities

PDI to showcase industry leadership and innovation at annual NACS Show

ATLANTA Oct. 03, 2025 —  PDI Technologies, a global leader delivering powerful insights and solutions that serve as the backbone of the convenience and energy ecosystem, announced it will spotlight the power of MyPDI, next-generation loyalty solutions, and other innovative technologies at NACS Show 2025. As part of its commitment to modernizing, converging, and innovating in the industry, PDI will demonstrate how retailers can harness its intelligent platforms and AI-powered workflows to revitalize loyalty and customer engagement in today’s competitive convenience retail landscape. 

With MyPDI, convenience retailers and energy marketers can access an AI-powered platform that centralizes operations in an intelligent shared hub. By integrating analytics, AI-driven insights, and administration across the PDI retail and energy ecosystem, MyPDI empowers retailers and wholesalers to modernize operations, streamline engagement, and deliver more personalized, data-driven experiences that create lasting loyalty. 

“For more than four decades, PDI has partnered with our customers to drive innovation that addresses the real needs of the industry,” said Justin Baxley, SVP Product Management at PDI. “MyPDI is an exciting new way to collaborate on multiple concepts and experiment together with cutting-edge technologies. As a portfolio-wide platform, MyPDI enables us to fulfill our commitment to delivering better-together solutions focused on our core industries.” 

One of the areas ripe for innovation is customer loyalty, which has quickly become the currency of success in convenience retail. As reported in its recent loyalty guide, PDI reveals that loyalty leaders are seeing significant increases in customer engagement and higher conversion rates through AI-enhanced personalization. PDI’s broader suite of engagement solutions—including enhanced payments capabilities strengthened by the recent P97 Networks acquisition—provides retailers with the tools to differentiate their brand, increase profitability, and deepen consumer trust. 

At NACS Show 2025, PDI will also highlight: 

  • PDI Security and Network Solutions, designed to secure retailer networks, streamline operations, and simplify PCI compliance with AI-augmented, human-led threat detection and response that safeguards against ransomware and other threats.
  • PDI POS, including advanced loyalty features, dynamic discounting, and seamless mobile payments with innovations from the recent P97 Networks acquisition, now part of the PDI engagement portfolio. 
  • PDI Electronic Shelf Labels, PDI’s combined hardware solution, built on PDI Enterprise Pricebook and POS integration, that saves time, reduces errors, and allows for more flexible pricing. 

To explore the MyPDI platform, PDI Loyalty innovations, and much more, schedule an appointment or visit PDI Booth S4152 on the show floor. 

About PDI Technologies 
With 40 years of industry leadership, PDI Technologies, Inc. resides at the intersection of productivity and sales growth, delivering powerful solutions that serve as the backbone of the convenience retail and petroleum wholesale ecosystem. By “Connecting Convenience” across the globe, we empower businesses to increase productivity, make informed decisions, and engage faster with their customers. From large-scale ERP and logistics operations to loyalty programs and cybersecurity, we’re simplifying the industry supply chain for whatever comes next. Visit the PDI Technologies website.  

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Hawaiian Bros Says Aloha to Las Vegas, Celebrates Fast Growth Through Franchisee Opportunities

 Hawaiian Bros Says Aloha to Las Vegas, Celebrates Fast Growth Through Franchisee Opportunities 

Island-inspired chain celebrates first location in Las Vegas 

 

LAS VEGAS (Sept. 26, 2025) – Hawaiian Bros, one of the fastest growing restaurant chains, is bringing island flavors to Las Vegas, marking an exciting expansion for the Rock Hawaiian franchise and new opportunities for future franchisees.   

To celebrate the expansion to Las Vegas, Hawaiian Bros is hosting a grand opening celebration at their new location (6071 W. Craig Rd) on Sept. 26 at 11 a.m.  At the grand opening, the first 100 customers in line will receive a free t-shirt and a free meal voucher. Also, one lucky person will win Hawaiian Bros for a year, and five lucky winners will win $100 Hawaiian Bros gift cards.   

As part of the grand opening celebration, Hawaiian native, Kamu Vincent will bless the restaurant to invite prosperity and honor the interconnection between people and land.   

Hawaiian Bros will also host VIP events at their new location (6071 W. Craig Rd) on Sept. 20 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. and Sept. 25 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. First responders, medical personnel, academic staff, students, and local business employees will be treated to a free classic Plate Lunch.  

“It’s an honor to receive a blessing by Kamu Vincent,” said Scott Ford, CEO of Hawaiian Bros. “With the significance of this blessing, we hope to build a solid foundation of positivity at our new Las Vegas location. Additionally, we’re looking forward to presenting a $33,000 check in celebration of Keiki Hula”   

“We are thrilled to introduce our first Hawaiian Bros location in Nevada and continuing to build the brand,” said Chris Aslam, CEO of Rock Hawaiian LLC. “This expansion will give even more guests the opportunity to experience Hawaiian flavors, something we are very excited about doing more of.”   

Hawaiian Bros is known for its island-inspired plate lunch, which offers a variety of juicy chicken or pork glazed with sweet, savory or spicy sauces; macaroni salad, a bed of fluffy steamed white rice or vegetables; and for dessert, a smooth and tropical Dole Soft Serve®. Void of freezers, fryers, or microwaves, the simple menu is prepared with the highest quality, freshest ingredients – unlike any fast-casual restaurant in the area.   

To learn more about Hawaiian Bros and its offerings, visit www.hawaiianbros.com   

About Hawaiian Bros 

At Hawaiian Bros, we’re inspired every day to spread the Aloha Spirit; to show kindness and respect, and to treat everyone as ‘ohana – like family, in everything we do. Founded on the principles of honor, inclusion, and gratitude, we respect the dignity and self-worth of every team member and guest. We value our differences and celebrate our common ground. And, we say, “thank you” often, emphasizing the positives in our lives every day. Hawaiian Bros owns and operates more than 60 restaurants serving the Aloha spirit in nine states across America and has expanded its franchise opportunities since 2023.  

 Hawaiian Bros has earned a variety of prestigious awards since its opening in 2018, including a number one spot on Ingram’s Corporate Report of the Top 100 fastest growing companies and the number seven spot on QSR Magazine’s 40/40 List of America’s Hottest Startup Fast Casuals. Hawaiian Bros has been named QSR Best Brands to Work For and is a multi-year Fast Casual Top 100 Movers & Shakers winner.  For more information, visit www.hawaiianbros.com.  

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Media Contact: 

Ashley Pfeiffer 

Ashley@snackbox.us  

 

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LivAway Suites Surpasses 100,000 Room Nights in First Year, Highlighting Demand for Affordable Extended Stay

SALT LAKE CITY, Sept. 24, 2025 — Few new hotel brands can claim the kind of debut LivAway Suites has enjoyed. In its first 12 months of operating hotels, the Salt Lake City–based economy extended stay brand has sold more than 100,000 room nights, a milestone that industry observers say underscores both pent-up demand in the extended stay segment and the brand’s ability to capture it.

LivAway Suites opened its first property in 2024 and has since expanded at a pace that outstripped even its own projections. With eight hotels now open and 14 more under development, the company is rapidly expanding across the country from Maine to Seattle.

Recent openings in Draper, Utah; Renton, Washington; and Portland, Maine highlight LivAway Suites’ coast-to-coast ambitions. Unlike many new entrants that struggle to gain traction, LivAway’s combination of purpose-built design, efficient operating model, and competitive pricing has resonated with extended stay travelers and guests.

“Reaching 100,000 room nights in our first year is a great milestone and an exciting validation of our platform,” said Mike Nielson, CEO of LivAway Suites. “We set out to rethink what affordable extended stay lodging could be, and the market response has exceeded every expectation.”

Extended stay hotels have been one of the strongest-performing segments in hospitality over the past five years, attracting travelers seeking value and developers looking for resilient returns. LivAway Suites is carving out a distinct position in this space: modern yet economical, scaled for both guests and investors.

The company is not slowing down. Plans call for 10 additional hotels in 2026, bringing the total to 30 plus hotels by the end of next year, with projects underway in Arizona, Texas, Virginia, Colorado, Nevada, Utah, and Florida. Executives say this will mark LivAway Suites’ transition from a fast-emerging regional player into a leading national brand.

“The demand curve for extended stay is only getting steeper,” Nielson added. “Our model is proving itself, and this is just the beginning.”

About LivAway Suites:

Headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah, LivAway Suites is an innovative extended-stay hotel brand designed to provide guests with essential comforts at an affordable price. The company aims to transform traditional franchise models through transparent pricing structures and superior return on investment strategies tailored to developers. For further details or booking inquiries, please visit www.livawaysuites.com.

For more information about parent company West77 Partners, visit www.west77partners.com.

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LivAway Suites Surpasses 100,000 Room Nights in First Year, Highlighting Demand for Affordable Extended Stay

SALT LAKE CITY, Sept. 24, 2025 — Few new hotel brands can claim the kind of debut LivAway Suites has enjoyed. In its first 12 months of operating hotels, the Salt Lake City–based economy extended stay brand has sold more than 100,000 room nights, a milestone that industry observers say underscores both pent-up demand in the extended stay segment and the brand’s ability to capture it.

LivAway Suites opened its first property in 2024 and has since expanded at a pace that outstripped even its own projections. With eight hotels now open and 14 more under development, the company is rapidly expanding across the country from Maine to Seattle.

Recent openings in Draper, Utah; Renton, Washington; and Portland, Maine highlight LivAway Suites’ coast-to-coast ambitions. Unlike many new entrants that struggle to gain traction, LivAway’s combination of purpose-built design, efficient operating model, and competitive pricing has resonated with extended stay travelers and guests.

“Reaching 100,000 room nights in our first year is a great milestone and an exciting validation of our platform,” said Mike Nielson, CEO of LivAway Suites. “We set out to rethink what affordable extended stay lodging could be, and the market response has exceeded every expectation.”

Extended stay hotels have been one of the strongest-performing segments in hospitality over the past five years, attracting travelers seeking value and developers looking for resilient returns. LivAway Suites is carving out a distinct position in this space: modern yet economical, scaled for both guests and investors.

The company is not slowing down. Plans call for 10 additional hotels in 2026, bringing the total to 30 plus hotels by the end of next year, with projects underway in Arizona, Texas, Virginia, Colorado, Nevada, Utah, and Florida. Executives say this will mark LivAway Suites’ transition from a fast-emerging regional player into a leading national brand.

“The demand curve for extended stay is only getting steeper,” Nielson added. “Our model is proving itself, and this is just the beginning.”

About LivAway Suites:

Headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah, LivAway Suites is an innovative extended-stay hotel brand designed to provide guests with essential comforts at an affordable price. The company aims to transform traditional franchise models through transparent pricing structures and superior return on investment strategies tailored to developers. For further details or booking inquiries, please visit www.livawaysuites.com.

For more information about parent company West77 Partners, visit www.west77partners.com.

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Snackbox Recognized for Agency of Impact Awards

Snackbox Recognized for Agency of Impact Awards 

Woman-owned PR Firm recognized nationally for community service and giving back 

In September 2025, Snackbox, the award-winning public relations, social media, and design firm, was recognized as a finalist by PR Daily in the Agency Impact category. This award recognizes agencies committed to community service and giving back – core values Snackbox strives to uphold. 

“Every single day I’m so incredibly proud of our Snackbox team,” said Jenna Oltersdorf,  Snackbox CEO and co-founder. “This recognition means the world to me because it recognizes and celebrates all the hours we give to nonprofits, all the budget-matching we do for our nonprofit clients and all the joy we get as a team for giving back to causes we believe in.” 

Snackbox is a creative PR laboratory that combines design thinking and the art of storytelling to deliver out-of-this-world results for its clients. Serving a diverse portfolio of clients, Snackbox approaches public relations differently. Escaping the “big agency” way of serving stakeholders, Snackbox is proud to form lasting relationships with clients, ensuring meaningful partnership and genuine connections. 

Celebrating 19 years of business this November, Snackbox team members are immensely grateful to support the meaningful missions driving each account it oversees. 

About Snackbox 

Snackbox was created in 2006 by agency principals Jenna Oltersdorf and Eric Oltersdorf after serving at some of the largest PR and advertising agencies in the world. The two were determined to create a kinder, more transparent agency, and established Snackbox, which operates under the motto of “everybody at our table eats” since its inception. Now, the agency is approaching its 20th year in business, serving clients in a wide range of industries and specializing in food, consumer packaged goods, tourism, and education. For more information about Snackbox, visit www.snackbox.us.  

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Local Resident Wins Big from Local Convenience Store

SPICEWOOD, Texas (September 18, 2025) –  TXB, the locally-owned Texas-based convenience store brand, is giving away a brand-new truck. And they have their winner.  Bryan, Texas resident Shawn Hitt was selected out of more than half a million entries. Hitt will receive a GMC Sierra Elevation from TXB in partnership with Covert GMC. 

 Guests entered the giveaway by downloading the TXB Rewards App and playing Scratch & Win.  

 “I’m looking forward to seeing Shawn, a longtime loyal guest, riding to TXB in style in this gorgeous truck,” said Kevin Smartt, CEO of TXB.  “We are thrilled to be able to gift Shawn with a shiny, new ride from TXB with the support of our sponsors, Pepsi and Covert.” 

 TXB invites local media outlets to join on Sept. 18 at 11:00 a.m. for the Passing of the Keys Ceremony at TXB 75 in Bryan, Texas. The ceremony will feature a tribute to all loyalty members who participated, as well as their sponsors, Pepsi and Covert GMC. 

Guests can visit https://txbstores.com/loyalty/ to sign up and download the TXB Rewards App to shop, earn, and redeem.  

 

About TXB:  

TXB, short for Texas Born, is a family of restaurant-style convenience stores serving up fresh, made-to-order food. With locations across Texas and a line of private-label products, TXB is rooted in quality, hospitality, and its mission to “Leave ’Em Better.” To learn more about the Texas-based brand, visit www.txbstores.com.   

 

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Electronics Recycling Pioneer ecoATM Expands into Canada, Continues Legacy of Sustainability for Customers

Trailblazer in modern e-waste recycling expands throughout North America, champions positive environmental impact 

SAN DIEGO, Sept. 16, 2025 — ecoATM, cutting edge leader in e-waste recycling solutions, is growing its North American footprint with a groundbreaking expansion into the Canadian market at select Walmart locations. This expansion creates powerful opportunities for retail partners on both sides of the border, helping to divert millions of pounds of e-waste from landfills each year.

This North American expansion kicked off with ecoATM activating kiosks at Walmart stores throughout Ontario in Mississauga, Brampton, Oakville, and Burlington. Kiosks went live the week of August 25, 2025, with grand opening events set to take place in September.

“This expansion into Canada illustrates a momentous occasion in ecoATM history,” Neil Fried, Senior Vice President of Corporate Development said. “By expanding our operations and kiosks into a larger portion of North America, we are further contributing to the preservation of our planet by providing our customers with more opportunities to trade in their old devices collecting dust.”

In 2024 alone, ecoATM achieved significant milestones by removing 2.2M tons of CO2 from the atmosphere and eliminating 25Mpounds of e-waste from landfills across America. In addition to delivering meaningful environmental benefits, the Canadian expansion is expected to increase foot traffic at Walmart locations, supporting both sustainability efforts and economic growth in the communities we serve.

“At ecoATM, we are committed to driving the re-commerce revolution by making it easier than ever for people to embrace sustainability,” said Matt Furlong, Chief Executive Officer of ecoATM. “Our mission is to empower consumers to give their old devices a second life while benefiting financially. By refurbishing used electronics and keeping them out of landfills, we create a model that works for both people and the planet. Launching in Canada marks an exciting step forward as we expand access to our innovative kiosks, helping communities across the GTA contribute to a more sustainable future, one device at a time.”

Interested in recycling at an ecoATM at an Ontario area Walmart near you? Click here for more information.

About ecoATM
For over 15 years, ecoATM has been a leader in driving the recommerce revolution by expanding access to affordable technology and recycling e-waste. Every year, billions of electronics are discarded into landfills, creating mountains of harmful waste. But many of these devices deserve a second life – one that pays. ecoATM is determined to make it easier than ever for everyone to contribute towards a more sustainable future, one device at a time. Through conveniently located kiosks we give Americans a simple way to dispose of their used phones and other electronics – and get paid for doing it.

For more information, visit https://www.ecoatmb2b.com/ 

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