A Call To Action

Recognizing the need for comprehensive best-practices that addressed the operational and environmental challenges in electronics recycling and repair, the US Environmental Protection Agency convened a multi-stakeholder process to create a voluntary, market-based mechanism for ensuring best practices in electronics recycling.  What emerged from that process was the “Responsible Recycling practices for Use in Accredited Certifications Programs” (R2) Practices.

The development of the R2 Practices occurred through a transparent, balanced, consensus-based process, which took three years from start to finish.

The multi-stakeholder group included representatives from:

• The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
• Regulators from state agencies
• Electronics recyclers, refurbishers, and their trade associations
• OEMs/customers of electronics recycling services
• Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs)

In 2008, the R2 Practices were released and repair and recycling facilities began to get certified. The original R2 Practices went through its first major revision in 2013 and released a second upgrade, R2v3, in 2020.

Focus in the first version of R2 was on improper disposal of used electronics in landfills, or worse yet, in developing countries. The second version of the R2 Standard (R2:2013) was produced by R2 Solutions, the predecessor to SERI.  R2:2013 recognized the growing demand and opportunity for used electronics to be reused.  Reuse of laptops and desktops created educational opportunities in schools and homes.

Between the second and third versions of R2, the world exploded with mobile devices and long-last batteries. This was the catalyst for extending the Internet and connectivity into remote areas of the entire world. With these technology enhancements also came the integration of electronics into all kinds of “smart” devices, like cars and appliances.

The world is a much different place with electronics than it was at the turn of the century. The latest version of the R2 Standard, R2v3, is positioned to incorporate whatever technological or process innovations are to come with its new core plus process structure.

When this all started in 2005, the focus was on protecting the environment. The R2 Standard has evolved over the years to facilitate a truly circular lifecycle for electronics.  R2v3 maximizes the value of electronics at each stage in the product life cycle by extending the life of electronic devices and components through legitimate reuse whenever feasible, and by reclaiming the materials from electronics at the end of their useful life.  Not only does this keep electronics out of the waste stream, it preserves resources and reduces the environmental footprint of electronics by reducing the need to mine for new materials.

R2 Solutions was the first host for the standard after a hand-off from the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Sustainable Electronics Recycling International (SERI) was established as a 501c3 non-profit organization in 2014 to succeed R2 Solutions with a mission that extends beyond the R2 Standard.

R2 remains a core pillar of SERI’s programs to deliver on its mission. SERI achieved recognition as an ANSI Accredited Standards Developer in 2014, committed to an open and balanced process of maintaining the R2 Standard through stakeholder consensus.

As a result, R2v3 has been recognized as an Approved American National Standard.