ITAD Provider ERI Names David Hirschler as Chief Sustainability Officer: 5 Things to Know

ERI, an IT asset disposition (ITAD) and electronics recycling company, has promoted Senior Director David Hirschler (pictured above) to chief sustainability office (CSO).

Here are five things to know about Hirschler's experience and focus, and ERI's sustainability strategy.

1. Business Scope and Scale: ERI, founded in 2002, positions itself as "the largest fully integrated IT and electronics asset disposition provider and cybersecurity-focused hardware destruction company in the United States, and possibly the world." The company is based in Fresno, California.

Demand for such services is extremely strong: Indeed, the IT asset disposition (ITAD) market will reach $28.43 billion in 2030, up from $15.06 billion in 2022, according to SNS Insider. That's an 8.27% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), the firm said.

2. Financial Partner: Closed Loop Partners invested in ERI in July 2021. Financial terms of that investment were not disclosed. Closed Loop Partners is a New York-based investment firm that spans venture capital, growth equity, private equity, and project-based finance. Closed Loop Partners also owns Sage Sustainable Electronics, another ITAD services and e-waste reduction specialist.

3. Sustainability Strategy: ERI in 2022 became the first carbon neutral ITAD and electronics recycling company, according to ERI's 2022 ESG and Data Security Report. At that time, the company had roughly 1,340 employees across nine U.S. facilities, and 42 international partner locations.

4. David Hirschler's Experience: Hirschler previously was senior director of sustainability & legislative compliance at ERI. During his time with the company, he has "helped ERI establish itself as the industry leader in circular economy and ESG best practices through his work interfacing with legislators and government agencies, managing collection programs, working on circularity projects, tracking and promoting internal waste reduction and sustainability initiatives…and more, including helping ERI’s partners and customers to achieve their own ESG goals," the company said.

5. Executive Perspectives: In a prepared statement, ERI Chairman and CEO John Shegerian said: “We’re excited to name David our Chief Sustainability Officer, a title that is well-earned and fitting for someone with such a strong track record and set of skills in the space. With his passion for – and deep understanding of – sustainability issues, it makes perfect sense to elevate David’s already critical role to the next level of stewardship to benefit not only ERI, but the planet.”

Added Hirschler: “It’s truly an honor to accept this leadership role at ERI, where we can continue to set benchmarks of sustainability excellence. By elevating this role into the C-suite, ERI is truly demonstrating its commitment to sustainability. It’s rewarding to do work at ERI, where we can see the real world, real time impact of what we do, from improving e-waste recycling opportunities for businesses and individuals in all walks of life, to motivating and driving genuine changes in the transition from a linear to a circular economy. I’m looking forward to making an even greater impact moving forward.”

ERI's Chief Sustainability Officer: Why Technology Partners Should Care

By 2027, 25% of Global 2000 companies will have assigned a chief sustainability officer (CSO) responsible for meeting their organization’s ESG goals and making ESG-related IT purchasing decisions, according to IDC.

The bottom line: Technology partners need to extend their sales, marketing, engagement and support strategies to successfully fulfill those CSO customer needs, Sustainable Tech Partner believes.