Background
Northeast Grocery was looking for new ways to increase foot traffic, extend shopping trips and demonstrate its commitment to sustainability in a way shoppers could see and feel across their banner stores. As customer loyalty and repeat visits became more critical, Northeast Grocery recognized the need for a solution that delivered added value and sustainability benefits with zero cost to install or maintain.
Objectives
Northeast Grocery wanted to drive more store visits, add a valuable service for customers and encourage incremental sales by putting cash directly into shoppers’ hands. They wanted to bring an eco-friendly service to their communities that required no staff involvement, rewarded sustainable behavior and generated passive income from monthly rent and devices collected.
Solution
ecoATM installed 127 kiosks in 2024-2025, giving customers an easy way to responsibly recycle used devices while receiving instant cash to spend in-store. The kiosks helped attract customers, keep e-waste from landfills and reinforce the retailer’s sustainability commitment in a clear, tangible way.
Since launch, Northeast Grocery and their stores have seen the following benefits:
- Increased store traffic and extended shopping trips
- Measurable sustainability impact
- Passive income stream that enhances customer experiences
Customers can now recycle used devices for instant cash, integrating into daily shopping trips and rewarding customers.
Results
- $2M paid to consumers each year
- 100,000 kiosk visits each year
- 70,000 devices collected each year
- 1,700 tons of CO2 emissions removed
“At Tops, we believe in exploring opportunities to reduce our carbon footprint by investing in sustainable environmental practices, making our partnership with ecoATM a great way to continue these efforts. Our ongoing commitment to sustainability is met with enthusiasm and resolve every day as we work to ensure that we leave our communities—and our planet—better for the next generation.”
– Bill Thomas, Sustainability Specialist,
Tops Friendly Markets
About ecoATM
For over 15 years, ecoATM has been a leader in driving the re-commerce 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 consumers a simple way to dispose of their used phones and other electronics – and get paid for doing it. For retail partners, ecoATM delivers a turn-key, no-cost solution that generates rental income, drives incremental store traffic, enhances the in-store experience and provides measurable sustainability impact.
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