|
Find an R2 recycler
Choosing an R2 certified recycler takes the guess work out of hiring a reputable electronics recycler that adheres to the highest industry standards.
To find an R2 certified electronics recycler, click here.
|
|
|
Welcome to the R2 Update! This newsletter contains relevant industry information and news pertaining to R2 Solutions, and more importantly the R2 Practices Standard, the leading certification program for the electronics recycling industry.
|
|
R2 featured on the Product Stewardship Institute Blog
One of the primary  goals of R2 Solutions is to promote the R2 Practices and educate both consumers and recyclers of the benefits of R2 certification. R2 Solutions' most recent activity in this area has been participation in a Product Stewardship Institute networking call and follow-on blog piece. During the networking call on November 18th, John Lingelbach, Acting Executive Director, outlined the need for certification in the industry and the particular merits of the R2 Practices. As a follow-up to that networking call, R2 Solutions was asked to provide an article for the PSI blog. Specifically, the blog addresses two important, and frequently asked questions. - Why doesn't R2 establish an outright ban on exports of electronics scrap to developing countries?
- And, why doesn't R2 prohibit the use of prison labor?
The short answer to both of those questions is economic opportunity. Lingelbach notes, "The stakeholders that developed R2 designed a set of requirements that call for equal environmental, health and safety protections no matter the location or situation." Visit the PSI blog to view the entire article, Offering Responsible Electronics Recycling Practices for Everyone, Everywhere.
|
Refurbishers seek R2 certification en masse
 | | Photo courtesy of HiTech Assets, Inc., Oklahoma City |
The Computer Refurbishers Association has officially launched the R2 Alliance of Refurbishers with the support of 21 organizations committed to seeking certification to R2 Practices in 2011. The goal of the group is to collectively leverage buying power for auditing services from one of the three accredited certification bodies. The group has approved a clearly defined timeline and action plan for preparing the group for the audit process and to have those audits completed by the fourth quarter of 2011, if not sooner. One of the benefits of seeking certification as an Alliance is refurbishers will have access to a number of pooled resources and knowledge, and it allows refurbishers to help each other through the auditing process. Those refurbishers interested in joining the certification cohort in this initial round should contact Sarah Commes at sc@pcrr.com, or 773-545-7575. |
OEMs: R2 can help make you EPEAT compliant
 The Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool, commonly known as EPEAT, is broadly recognized as a leading environmental standard for electronic products. The EPEAT standard currently covers desktop and laptop computers and monitors, but will soon broadly expand to include imaging equipment and televisions. As one of the provisions focusing on end-of-life management, the standard requires manufactures of all EPEAT registered products to offer take-back programs for the registered products. The standard requires OEMs to contract for those services with a recycler that adheres to the practices laid out in the U.S EPA's Plug-In To eCycling: Guidelines for Materials Management. Determining that a recycler is meeting all of the provisions of the guidelines can be challenging. However, one clear way that OEMs can demonstrate conformance to this area of the EPEAT standard is to contract for recycling services through an R2 certified recycler. R2 certified recyclers exceed the requirements set forth by the EPEAT standard, giving OEMs full confidence that they are in compliance with this mandatory criterion. A full list of certified recyclers can be found on the R2 Solutions website, under R2 Certified Recyclers. |
Vermont draft standards require R2 certification
 The Vermont Agency of Natural Resources has released the draft plan for the statewide electronics recycling program which will be implemented on July 1, 2011. According to the draft plan, any electronics recycler providing services for the state program must, "Meet US EPA Responsible Recycling (R2) standards and be certified by a third party that they meet those standards. Recyclers shall be able to document that downstream vendors comply with US EPA R2 standards." Any recyclers intending on receiving and processing material from the Vermont program should seek R2 certification soon so that they are eligible to receive materials at the start of the program. Like Vermont, there are a number of other states with electronics recycling programs that establish guidelines around operation and materials management for any recycler handling covered electronic devices from those programs. Recognizing that the R2 standard ensures best practices in these two areas, some states are framing environmental management practices (or EMPs) on the R2 Practices, or are recognizing R2 certification as one means to satisfying demonstration to a set of EMPs. Those states include: - Connecticut
- Missouri
- New Jersey
- Oregon
- Texas
Recyclers interested in obtaining R2 certification should visit the Become R2 Certified section of the R2 Solutions site for more information. |
|
|
|
We want to hear from you! Please send along any R2 related news or information that you think would be important to share with the electronics recycling community.
Thank you!
|
|
|
|
