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Responsible Recycling Practices for Electronics Recyclers
Americans are growing more concerned about the responsible handling of used electronics (e-waste) as the media sheds light on horrendous e-waste recycling practices in some developing countries that are sometimes the ultimate destination of unwanted equipment from the United States. Questions have been raised on what EPA has been doing to practices by irresponsible recyclers.
Recognizing the critical importance of environmentally sound recycling, EPA has worked closely with stakeholders, including recyclers, equipment manufacturers, representatives of state government, trade associations, and public interest groups, to develop a new set of standards, the Responsible Recycling Practices for Electronics Recyclers (R2). On July 27, 2009, the American National Standards Institute-American Society of Quality National Accreditation Board (ANAB) announced that it will start accrediting companies that will certify recyclers of electronic equipment under the R2 practices. EPA will not audit facilities for compliance with the R2 Practices; however, private, third-party certification bodies will conduct audits and issue certificates of conformance to electronic recyclers that successfully demonstrate they meet R2 requirements.
"The R2 standards are an important step in the right direction. Now consumers will know that their products are going to safe recyclers."- Matt Hale, Director of EPA's Office of Resource Conservation and Recovery
By promoting sound recycling practices, the R2 practices will protect public health and the environment, improve worker safety practices, and reduce potential exposures.
The environmentally protective standards that certified responsible recyclers must follow under R2, include using an environmental, health, and safety management system, minimizing exposures or emissions during recycling operations, and promoting reuse and material recovery. In addition, recyclers certified to R2 must obtain documentation from foreign governments confirming that they are allowed to export certain materials before those materials can be shipped abroad. Recyclers are not allowed to burn or landfill certain materials. If electronics are going to be sold for reuse, the R2 recycler must show that all personal data are cleared or destroyed, that the equipment has been tested to see if it works, and that the equipment is packaged properly. An R2 recycler must exercise due diligence to ensure appropriate management of the materials throughout the recycling chain, whether domestic or international.
EPA recognizes that exports of used electronics will occur because:
- Exports can promote recycling and recovery of
valuable parts and materials from used equipment,
conserving resources and reducing the environmental
impacts and energy costs associated with mining
for raw materials.
- Some of the capacity
for recycling used electronics, and the markets
for recycled materials are outside of the United
States.
- For many developing countries, e-waste recycling
provides job opportunities and helps the economy.
- Exports of used and refurbishable equipment can help to bridge the digital divide: the gap between people with readily available access to digital and information technology and those in developing countries with very limited or no access at all.
The R2 practices have been field-tested and are available for public use. They include requirements to ensure that equipment is only exported to those countries that legally accept such shipments. While the R2 practices are voluntary, they are expected to be adopted as a standard industry practice, due to the demand for environmentally sound recycling. When you are recycling used electronics, be sure to ask if your recycler is becoming R2 certified.
For More Information
- Responsible
Recycling ("R2") Practices for Use in
Accredited Certification Programs for Electronics
Recyclers (PDF) (15
pp, 51K, about
PDF)
- Checklist
for Use with the R2 Practices (PDF)
(13 pp, 36K, about
PDF)
- Responsible Recycling Practices describes the responsible recycling guidelines
- eCycling - EPA's Web site designed to educate consumers and others on why it is important to reuse and recycle electronics and what the options are for safe reuse and recycling of these products.
- Plug-In To eCycling - EPA's partnership program encouraging communities, electronics manufacturers, and retailers to promote shared responsibility for safe electronics recycling.