Here’s why R2 & e-Stewards matter

Why do R2 and e-Stewards matter? Well, both are electronic waste standards. These regulations were created to stop illegal and harmful e-waste practices. Before these initiatives, there was little policing around organizations exporting e-waste to countries like China, and Ghana. Often in these countries e-waste is mishandled leading to exposure to toxins and hazardous materials.

In 2008, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) organized a multi-stakeholder process to create a voluntary, market-based mechanism for ensuring best practices in electronics recycling. The operation led to the creation of the R2 Standard. The group was comprised of representatives from the EPA, regulators from state agencies, electronic recyclers and trade associations, customers of electronics recycling services, and NGOs. The collective created the standard to address best-practices for electronics recycling and repair.

A year later, the Basel Action Network (BAN) developed their own standard, e-Stewards. The standard was created to be a more stringent alternative to R2. Only Electronic recyclers and refurbishers can become certified e-Stewards. The organization has an enterprise program as well. The enterprise program helps organizations learn best practices for e-waste disposal. Some of the current enterprise partners include Bloomberg, LG, Samsung, and Capital One.

Is your organization focused on sustainability? If so, R2 and e-Stewards both urge organizations to work with certified partners. Liquid Technology is an e-Stewards, and R2 certified ITAD. To learn more about our certifications visit: http://www.liquidtechnology.net/certifications/