# Electronic Waste Reducing Startups Apkudo Has Raised $38 Million to Aid Device Recycling Systems By Colin Smith | Published 2022-02-10 | Eco Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/apkudo References: [greenbiz](https://www.greenbiz.com/article/startup-automating-supply-chain-links-fight-e-waste) & [apkudo](https://apkudo.com/)  'Apkudo' is a new startup focused on automating links between supply chains in the technology industry. As of 2022, Apkudo has raised roughly $38 million to support its initiative. Through the connection of the many links, Apkudo aims to increase the amount of circularity in the electronic device supply chain. It is estimated that less than 20% of used electronic devices are recycled, which causes the loss of billions of potential dollars in the industry. Currently, in the technology supply chain, there are many different parts from manufacturers to logistics services to service providers. Through all of these links, there is a lot of data that is not being collected or communicated, such as whether or not some devices work and which parts of that device do not work. Apkudo aims to automate this data collection and communication system, while also incorporating a "next steps" system. Essentially, Apkudo will collect data on, for example, which devices do not have a working wireless internet card and then present information on what these devices can then be recycled and repurposed into. Through this system, Apkudo will increase the circularity of the electronic device supply chain while increasing profits and reducing waste. Image Credit: Shutterstock ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 5.2/10 - Popularity: 70% | Activity: 76% | Freshness: 11% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, South America, Europe, Asia, Africa ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Eco](https://www.trendhunter.com/eco) ## Key Themes ### What Makes This Trend Stand Out - **Circular Supply Chain:** Apkudo aims to increase circularity in the electronic device supply chain through automating data collection and communication, offering a disruptive innovation opportunity in supply chain management. - **Device Recycling:** Apkudo's focus on device recycling highlights a trend towards reducing electronic waste, and presents a disruptive innovation opportunity in the waste management industry. - **Data Automation:** Apkudo's automated data collection and communication system represents a trend towards increased use of automation in supply chain management and offers a disruptive innovation opportunity in data analytics. ### Sectors Adopting This - **Supply Chain Management:** Apkudo's circular supply chain model offers a disruptive innovation opportunity in supply chain management by increasing efficiency, reducing waste, and increasing profits. - **Waste Management:** Apkudo's focus on device recycling highlights a trend towards reducing electronic waste and offers a disruptive innovation opportunity in the waste management industry by improving recycling capabilities. - **Data Analytics:** Apkudo's automated data collection and communication system offers a disruptive innovation opportunity in the data analytics industry by providing powerful insights into electronic device supply chains and usage patterns. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Interactive E-Waste Billboards](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cash-for-trash.md) - [India-Based Refurbishing Brands](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/refit-global.md) - [E-Waste Take-Back Boxes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/tech-take-back-box.md) - [Water-Soluble E-Waste Solutions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/aquafade.md) - [AI-Powered Shopping Assistants](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/smart-wallet1.md) - [European Refurbished Tech Retailers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/refurbed.md) - [Retail E-Waste Collectors](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/e-waste-collection.md) - [AI-Powered Recycling Systems](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/binko-recycling-machine.md) - [Resurrected Used Smartphones](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/project-afterlife.md)