Quick answer
R2 (Responsible Recycling) is an electronics recycling standard maintained by the nonprofit SERI (Sustainable Electronics Recycling International). R2-certified recyclers are independently audited on environmental and public health, worker health and safety, data and facility security, and the chain of custody of materials through final disposition. Using R2-certified recyclers helps make sure your equipment is handled responsibly, not dumped or exported unsafely.
When you hand old computers to a recycler, you’re trusting them with two things: the environment and your data. Certification is how you know that trust is earned. In the U.S., the most widely used electronics recycling standard is R2.
What R2 stands for
R2 stands for Responsible Recycling. The standard is maintained by SERI (Sustainable Electronics Recycling International), a nonprofit. Recycling facilities don’t certify themselves. They’re audited by independent, accredited certification bodies and have to keep meeting the standard to stay certified. The current version of the standard is known as R2v3.
What R2 covers
R2 sets requirements for how electronics recyclers operate in four key areas:
- Environmental and public health: handling hazardous components properly so they don’t pollute air, soil or water
- Worker health and safety: protecting the people who take equipment apart
- Security (data and facility): controlling access to equipment and protecting the data on it
- Chain of custody through final disposition: tracking materials all the way to where they end up, including downstream vendors
That last point matters more than most people realize. Without it, electronics can be passed from one company to another until they end up dumped or shipped somewhere without proper protections.
R2 vs. e-Stewards
The U.S. EPA recognizes two main certification standards for electronics recyclers: R2 and e-Stewards. Both are independently audited. They differ in some requirements, but both are meant to make sure electronics are recycled safely and responsibly. Either one is a strong signal you’re working with a responsible recycler.
How we use R2 recyclers
E-Waste Haul Away and Data Destruction Services LLC works with four different R2-certified recyclers. That’s your assurance that the electronics we pick up are processed responsibly.
For drives that held sensitive information, we recommend going one step further with physical hard drive destruction. On written request, we provide a Letter of Responsibility for Destruction.
5 questions to ask any e-waste company
- Which certified recyclers do you use? Ask for names, not just “we’re certified”.
- What happens to hard drives and other storage? Wiped, destroyed, or neither?
- Can you document destruction? A letter or certificate helps with audits and compliance.
- What don’t you accept? A clear list shows they know their downstream limits. (Here’s ours.)
- Are there fees? You should know before the truck shows up. (How our pricing works.)
Want your electronics handled by R2-certified recyclers? Schedule a pick up anywhere in our Greater Philadelphia service area.
Frequently asked questions
Who runs the R2 standard?
SERI (Sustainable Electronics Recycling International), a nonprofit organization. Recyclers are certified by independent, accredited certification bodies that audit them against the standard.
What's the difference between R2 and e-Stewards?
Both are respected third-party certifications for electronics recyclers recognized by the U.S. EPA. They differ in requirements and focus, but both aim to make sure electronics are recycled safely and responsibly.
Does R2 cover data security?
Yes. Data and facility security is one of the areas R2 covers. For drives that held sensitive information, we also recommend physical hard drive destruction.
How can I check whether a recycler is certified?
Ask for the name of the certified facility and its certificate, then check it with the certification body or SERI’s public directory.
Sources
- Sustainable Electronics Recycling International (SERI), the R2 Standard, SERI
- Certified Electronics Recyclers, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
- e-Stewards, Basel Action Network
Written by The E-Waste Haul Away Team
We pick up unwanted computers and electronics from businesses and schools across Greater Philadelphia and make sure they're recycled responsibly through R2-certified partners, with secure handling for anything that holds data. About us
