R2 NEWSLETTER: SEPTEMBER 2023

FEATURE STORY

R2 PASSES THE 1,000 CERTIFIED FACILITY MARK! 

Though we flirted with 1,000 R2 Certified Facility mark a few times in recent years, throughout the transition that number was never quite stable enough for us to celebrate such a big milestone, especially while there were still so many facilities working hard to complete their R2v3 transition. 

However, sitting today with 1,069 R2 Certified Facilities in 42 countries around the world – a number that is still growing - we wanted to pause (just a little) and reflect on the origins of R2 and its evolution over the years since the release of the first R2 Standard in 2008. 

As they say, to know where you are going, it’s important to know where you’ve been. Some of our readers will have been in the industry long enough to remember the early days of electronics disposal, but especially for those who weren’t involved back in the early 2000s, this is an important lesson in how far we’ve come. We also think having a better understanding of the history of R2 will also help Certified Facilities communicate the value of their certification to current and prospective customers.  

There are many people who have had a hand in R2’s growth – too many to name – but you know who you are, and we sincerely thank you for your contributions to the success of R2! We think this article brings R2’s heritage to life and hope you’ll enjoy the read! 

SERI ANNOUNCES PLAN TO DEVELOP NEW

ESG REPORTING STANDARD FOR ELECTRONICS 

Over the past couple of years, we’ve been watching the topic of ESG reporting continue to take hold, and it’s been a discussion point at nearly every conference we’ve been to over the last 12 months. During that same time, we have been hearing from various stakeholders about the gaps in ESG reporting in this industry and the need for standardization. 

Taking all this into account, it became clear to us that the electronics industry needs a mechanism for reporting the impacts of electronics that can feed into this larger conversation, including the opportunity to measure the positive impacts on sustainability through electronic reuse and recycling, like reducing carbon footprints. There is a good story that this industry should be telling, and the ability to measure the positive impact in a verifiable way is very powerful for influencing the decisions for more circular and sustainable outcomes. 

After consideration, the SERI Board recognized that SERI is uniquely qualified to undertake this important project and the intended outcome is an important tool in realizing SERI's mission.  

So, last week at the combined E-Reuse/E-Scrap conference in New Orleans, SERI officially announced our plans to develop a new ESG Reporting Standard for Electronics. We’ll be following the same steps as R2’s multi-stakeholder development process, one we believe produces a global standard built for creating positive outcomes. While we expect the task to be long and difficult, we are confident the impact will be adding another catalyst to achieve electronics sustainability. 

Read more about it here in our press release and here on our website, where you can also register your interest in contributing to the standard development and follow its progress. 

SERI ANNOUNCES PILOT PROGRAM FOR R2U

While we all love our devices, the truth is, in most parts of the world, there simply aren’t enough qualified vendors to meet the global demands for responsible electronics reuse and recycling. To help fill this gap, SERI is creating a new program called R2U, a vocational training program designed to increase the knowledge and skills of individuals working in the electronics reuse and recycling sector globally. When fully developed, we envision a catalogue of 40+ courses offered free of charge and delivered online. 

We have chosen our learning management system (LMS) platform as well as our course-building partner and are ready to get the project off the ground! 

The first big milestone for R2U will be creating the first five courses and launching a pilot program, and that process officially kicks off with an official announcement and a call for those who might be interested in contributing content to the courses. This industry has great knowledge and examples to share and R2U presents a great opportunity to demonstrate best practices for others to learn.   

Read more about it here in our official press release and here on our website where you can also express your interest in contributing and follow our progress. 

A HELPFUL R2v3 REMINDER

FROM THE R2 DIRECTOR

GUIDANCE ON

TRANSACTION SHEETS

The Transaction Sheet is a tool that allows auditors to sample a specific device and trace the conformance of managing the device through all the key requirements of the R2 Standard. Since the R2 Standard focuses on sustainable outcomes, the Transaction Sheet is critical evidence that demonstrates a specific outcome was achieved by conforming to all the respective requirements throughout the processing of that device. To learn more about the process or to download the Transaction Sheets and the Auditor Guide, go to the R2 Guidance and Knowledge Base! 

IEMN HOLDS IN-PERSON ANNUAL MEETING

IN NEW ORLEANS, USA 

For the first time since 2019, the IEMN or International E-Waste Management Network held an in-person annual meeting in conjunction with the 2023 combined E-Reuse/E-Scrap conference in New Orleans. As the IEMN Secretariate, SERI would like to thank all who participated, as well as those who contributed their time and talents to make this a very successful event!  

The IEMN is a community built specifically to give regulators around the world who are dealing with the e-waste challenge a platform to share and learn from one another. In addition to webinars and presentations throughout the year, an annual meeting gives participants a great opportunity to further their national e-waste initiatives.  

THE POWER OF THE R2 KNOWLEDGE BASE

Q&As ABOUT NONCONFORMITIES 

The idea of nonconformities (NCs) generally incites some level of anxiety for most R2 facilities. But the process of identifying nonconformities and preventing them from reoccurring is what makes a better facility, a stronger certification program, and ultimately, better outcomes all around.   

To help everyone better recognize NCs, including understanding the different timelines regarding the classification and closures of NCs, we have provided answers to questions we are frequently asked. Learn more about NCs in this new Knowledge Base Q&A. 

AVAILABLE R2v3 TRAINING CLASSES

NEW TO R2: INTRO TO R2 WEBINAR 

If you want to learn more about R2, join us on our Intro to R2 Webinars. They are held 3-4 times per month and are offered to accommodate time zones on all continents.

R2 AUDITOR TRAINING CLASSES

Looking for in-depth, online, and interactive training on R2v3? These classes are open to auditors, consultants, and facilities. Space is limited so sign up for the class today!

Each month, we let you know where we’re going and what conversations we’re having for two reasons. First, we simply hope you’ll catch up with us if you are planning to be in the same places. But even more importantly, we want you to know how we are talking to and educating the customers of R2 Facilities because they are the ones who have the ability to influence the decisions that their organization makes as well as the vendor selection process for their used electronics. We see choosing R2 Certified Facilities as a big part of the solution to getting to electronics sustainability and believe that educating all the various audiences is a powerful way to get there.  

This past month, The SERI team was fully engaged at this year’s combined E-Reuse/E-Scrap Conference in New Orleans, with an exhibit booth and three different workshops and conference sessions. Chief Provocateur Jeff Seibert kicked things off on Monday with a marketing session to help R2 Facilities leverage their R2 Certification. On Tuesday morning, Executive Director Corey Dehmey moderated a panel to help facilities increase partnership value by helping their customers meet their ESG goals. And then, on Tuesday afternoon, Jeff and Corey teamed up to share our Sustainable ITAD and ReThink Electronics videos and make a couple of big announcements around SERI’s new ESG Reporting Standard for Electronics and R2U.  

In addition, R2 Director Mike Easterbrook, R2 Guru Roger Greive, and Outreach Director Patty McKenzie were on hand to answer lots of great questions about R2.  

Mike also traveled to Las Vegas, where he was part of a panel discussion at the BrokerBin Roadshow, talking about making the distinction between how most companies go about their ITAD function and why there needs to be a shift to Sustainable ITAD. Mike also attended Mobile World Congress, where he helped businesses better understand how to make the shift to Sustainable Mobile. 

Where we're headed next:

• The European Broker Meeting, Malta, October 5-6 - Roger will be speaking with more than 1,200 electronics refurbishers and resellers from Europe, Africa, and the Middle East as he presents his session, “How to Put R2 Certification to Work for You.”  

• Sustainable Brands, San Diego, CA, October 16-19 -  Jeff will be educating about the importance of practicing Sustainable ITAD and how working with R2 Certified partners can support organizational sustainability goals as well as data security and ESG priorities.

• OCP Global Summit, San Jose, CA, October 17-19 - Corey will be networking and having conversations with IT professionals, talking about how R2 can help meet a variety of organizational goals.  

• Wisdom APAC, Albert Park, Victoria, Australia, November 15-16 - Corey will be engaging with IT asset managers and helping them understand the value of R2 Certification in vendor selection as he presents the session, “Transforming Your ITAD to Sustainable ITAD.” While in Australia, SERI is also interested in opportunities to host additional meetings with R2 Certified companies and even provide a workshop on R2 Certification. If you are interested in meeting, attending an R2 Workshop, or even helping us with the event, please let us know at Marketing@SustainableElectronics.org

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