R2 program developed by a broad-based stakeholder group for the electronics recycling industry and GAO report recommends EPA to continue to support voluntary programs.

Washington, D.C. —EPA Assistant Administrator, Mathy Stanislaus recognized and applauded efforts to transition the Responsible Recycling Practices for Use in Accredited Certification Programs for Electronics Recyclers (R2 Practices) into an independent governance body, such as R2 Solutions, that “maintains the principles of openness, transparency, due process and balance.”

In responding to a letter sent to EPA by 19 electronic industry companies and organization requesting the creation of such an independent governance body, Stanislaus recognized such efforts as a way “to improve recycling of used electronics in the United States and globally.” This coincides with a recent announcement from EPA’s Administrator Lisa Jackson that improving the life-cycle impacts of electronics equipment, including Design for Recycling,® reuse and recycling, is one of the EPA’s top international priorities.

EPA’s continued support for the R2 Practices program is also in line with a recent U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) report, Electronic Waste: Considerations for Promoting Environmentally Sound Reuse and Recycling, that recommended the agency “to contribute more effectively…to their voluntary programs,” such as the R2 Program.

“We are pleased that EPA supports [our] efforts to transition the R2 Practices into an open and transparent governance body, like R2 Solutions,” says TechTurn President and signatory of the July 7th letter Jake Player. “The signatories welcome EPA’s ongoing technical support to ensure that the R2 Practices remains a sustainable standard for electronics recyclers around the world.”

The consensus standard, R2 Practices, was developed under the auspices of an EPA facilitated, multi-stakeholder open and transparent process that has been accredited by the ANSI-ASQ National Accreditation Board as a third party auditable standard. As of August 24, there are 12 companies and 16 facilities certified to the R2 Practices.

“ISRI is encouraged by EPA’s formal recognition to transition the R2 Practices into an independent and transparent governance body that is managed by a diverse stakeholder group,” stated Robin Wiener, President of the Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries (ISRI).

The Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries and its more than 1,550 members represents over 350 electronics refurbishers and recyclers ISRI has been a charter member of the R2 efforts since its inception and offers R2 certification as part of its Certified Electronics Recycler® Program. (www.CertifiedElectronicsRecycler.com )

###

The Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries, Inc. (ISRI) is the “Voice of the Recycling Industry.” ISRI represents more than 1,550 companies in 21 chapters nationwide that process, broker, and consume scrap commodities, including metals, paper, plastics, glass, rubber, electronics, and textiles. With headquarters in Washington, D.C., ISRI provides education, advocacy, and compliance training, and promotes public awareness of the vital role recycling plays in the U.S. economy, global trade and environment. For more information about ISRI, please visit www.isri.org .