Tony’s Why: Holistic Sustainability
ICIC Programs: Inner City Capital Connections (ICCC), IC100 Award Winner
Tony Selvaggio, CEO of eSmart Recycling and an IC100 Award winner, is tackling the growing e-waste crisis by transforming discarded electronics into valuable resources for underserved communities, ensuring access to technology and education while promoting environmental sustainability.
Electronic waste, also known as e-waste, is the fastest-growing municipal waste stream in the world, according to the World Health Organization. It represents 2% of the waste in landfills but accounts for almost 80% of toxic and hazardous waste. It is estimated that only 20% of the electronics produced in America are recycled. This is a staggering number, especially considering that around 300,000 computers are disposed of daily.
These statistics shocked Tony Selvaggio, CEO of eSmart Recycling. Tony moved to Florida’s Tampa Bay area from Venezuela in 2011 during the city’s growth period. With a background in scrap metal, he knew there was money to be made by salvaging parts from old computers. He launched eSmart Recycling to recycle metals and e-waste.
Bridging the Gap
As Tony’s company began collecting units, he quickly realized they weren’t scrap metal; they were working computers. Growing up in Venezuela, he learned to repair devices until they were obsolete. But in the U.S., companies were calling him to dispose of thousands of perfectly good computers—while nearby nonprofits serving kids lacked access to even basic technology. “I started seeing things in Tampa that you only see in developing nations,” he says. “There are gaps in our communities. A lot of basic needs are not being met—access to a computer and connectivity being one of them—and it shouldn’t be happening in the United States of America.”
Tony realized that his company could do more for the community and the world than dispose of computer parts. “Our company’s ‘why’ is holistic sustainability,” he says. “It’s about taking care of the earth, people, communities, and those around you, including your team. We’ve learned that a little goes a long way.” By 2016, the company developed a system where a portion of profits is allocated toward refurbishing computers and building computer labs for local and international communities.
“Our company’s ‘why’ is holistic sustainability,” he says. “It’s about taking care of the earth, people, communities, and those around you, including your team. We’ve learned that a little goes a long way. ”
A Holistic Approach
Early in the company’s journey, Tony came across ICIC’s ICCC program. He discovered a wealth of educational resources and a rich network of inspiring people all rooting for each other’s success. “ICIC’s resources and guidance empowered us to turn our vision into real, measurable change,” he says. “Participating in the ICCC program transformed my understanding of business as a recent immigrant and Hispanic entrepreneur. It helped us scale our operations and deepen our understanding of the social impact we could make.”
Today, eSmart Recycling combines environmental sustainability and social impact metrics, resulting in a holistic approach to offsetting carbon emissions through recycling technology at a corporate and residential level. The company has helped more than 12,000 children and families with the devices it deployed. eSmart is unwavering in its mission to ensure that every child and family in its local community has access to technology and education.
“ICIC’s resources and guidance empowered us to turn our vision into real, measurable change. Participating in the ICCC program transformed my understanding of business as a recent immigrant and Hispanic entrepreneur. It helped us scale our operations and deepen our understanding of the social impact we could make.”
