ecoATM Kiosk Outerwall
EcoATM, a maker of in-store kiosks where shoppers buy used phones, tablets and other electronics, is a failure, according to an analyst who tracks the comp. From kioskindustry.org — EcoATM was acquired by Outerwall Inc. in 2013, but it is no longer owned by Outerwall today. In 2016, Apollo Global Management purchased Outerwall and all its subsidiaries—including EcoATM. Currently, EcoATM is majority owned by Apollo Global Management, with Cowen Sustainable Advisors as a significant minority investor since 2020.
As of 2025, ecoATM has deployed over 6,500 kiosks, mainly across the United States. This large network is present in major retail locations such as Walmart, Kroger, shopping malls, and various convenience stores. The company hit a milestone of over 50 million devices collected by April 2025.
International Presence
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EcoATM officially launched in Canada in September 2025, marking its first significant international expansion. Thirteen kiosks were deployed in the Greater Toronto Area through a partnership with Walmart Canada, with plans for further expansion.
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Prior to its Canada launch, ecoATM’s operations were exclusive to the United States. There are currently no confirmed deployments outside North America as of September 2025.
Summary of Global Reach
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Over 6,500 kiosks deployed overall as of 2025.
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International kiosks only in Canada, launched in 2025; the rest are in the U.S..
EcoATM’s first major international deployment is in Canada, and the vast majority of machines remain in the U.S..
EcoATM News
2025
- ecoATM Launches in Canada Through Partnership with Walmart, Introducing First 13 Kiosks to the Greater Toronto Area — New self-serve phone recycling kiosks empower Canadians to trade in old devices for instant cash while supporting a greener, more sustainable future
- In addition to Walmart Canada, EG America began installing up to 500 ecoATM kiosks in its convenience stores, further expanding the network in the United States in 2025. https://www.convenience.org/Media/Daily/2025/April/23/1-EG-America-Adds-Phone-Recycling-Kiosks_Tech
2024
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ecoATM began piloting kiosks in new retail venues such as Aaron’s, Price Rite Marketplace, and Northeast Grocery, planning broader rollouts into 2025.
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The company partnered with several new mall groups and retail chains, increasing its network to over 6,600 kiosks and 25 retail partners across the US.
2023
- EcoATM “snags” another $50M –In January, ecoATM reached 38 million smartphones and other mobile devices recycled through its kiosks and Gazelle online marketplace — up from 28 million as of June 2021. It operates about 5,000 kiosks nationwide at grocery stores, shopping malls and other locations.The company declined to say who led this latest funding round, which was announced last week, saying only that it involved existing investors. EcoATM employs 374 workers worldwide, including 178 in San Diego, according to a spokesman.
2015 — Outerwall, the parent company of Coinstar and Redbox, purchased ecoATM in 2013 for $350 million in cash.
In its earnings report Thursday, Outerwall announced an $85.9 million impairment charge related to the ecoATM business, driven by what it called “competitive pressures on ecoATM and lowered expectations for future revenue growth.”
“The impairment charge reflects an honest assessment that the company overpaid for the business, and continuing losses two years after acquisition make us question whether the segment will ever be profitable,” wrote Michael Pachter, an analyst with Wedbush Securities.
Outerwall obviously disagrees with that assessment.
About EcoATM
- ecoATM is a service that allows you to sell your old or broken devices for cash at one of its 5,000 kiosks across the U.S. You can find an ecoATM kiosk near you at your local Walmart, Kroger, mall or other location1. ecoATM is a leader in reducing electronic waste and helping the environment by recycling or refurbishing your devices2. To sell your device, you need to prepare it, find a kiosk, and get an instant price offer. If you accept the offer, you receive cash on the spot
EcoATM Statistics
- Approximately 40 million smartphones recycled
- 5000 kiosks nationwide
- Employs 380 workers
- Estimated revenue $500M
- Raised almost $400M over 9 rounds
- Sustainability – saved 3,000 tons of waste
References
ecoATM – Funding, Financials, Valuation & Investors – Crunchbase : ecoATM’s Competitors, Revenue, Number of Employees, Funding … – Owler 3: Our Story | ecoATM – EcoATM 4: ecoATM Gazelle Announces Release of Inaugural ESG Report 5: ECOATM Revenue, Growth & Competitor Profile – IncFact.com