This document discusses the growing problem of electronic waste (e-waste) and promotes the R2 standard as a solution. It notes that rapid growth in electronics use has led to 50 million tons of e-waste generated annually, most of which ends up in landfills or being improperly recycled. This causes environmental and health problems. The R2 standard aims to address this by requiring certified recyclers to properly test, reuse, refurbish, and recover materials from electronics to reduce environmental impact and improve worker safety. Following the R2 standard helps maximize the reuse of devices and recovery of valuable materials to preserve resources.

1. Why it matters what you
do with old electronics
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2. As of 2014—
7 billion mobile
subscriptions for world
population of 7.2 billion.
More than 75% are in
developing countries.
Source: ITU
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Global access to both new & refurbished
electronic devices continues to expand rapidly

3. © SERI – Home of the R2 Standard
Bridging the Digital Divide
Estimated internet access as of 2014:
• 44% of world’s households
with internet access.
• 31% of households in developing
countries with internet access.
• 45% of the world’s internet users
from the Asia-Pacific region.
Source: ITU

4. © SERI – Home of the R2 Standard
Unintended consequences of the
global technology boom
An estimated 50
million tons of
e-waste is generated
each year.
80-85% of unwanted
electronics going to
landfills or incinerators
Source: UNEP (United Nations Environment Programme)

5. • Global demand for
electronics rapidly increases.
• Devices become obsolete
and are replaced with
greater frequency.
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Improper management of used electronics has caused
devastating harm to the environment and to people.
This problem grows as:
The growing global challenge

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Nowhere are the consequences more
apparent than in Guiyu, China.
• Significantly higher rates of
cancer, respiratory disease, and
still born & premature births.
• Shantou University reveals that 70.8%
of children in Guiyu have tested positive for
lead poisoning.
The growing global challenge

7. R2 offers a safe & sustainable solution
by changing how the world recycles
A growing global call for standards
and certification for electronics
recycling industry.
More businesses & government
agencies implementing policies and
regulations that promote safe and
sustainable electronics reuse and
recycling.
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8. A Safe & Sustainable Solution:
Maximizing safe reuse & recovery
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Reuse -
• Widely recognized as most
environmentally beneficial form
of recycling.
• Safe repair & reuse provides
access to affordable electronics to
consumers in developing
economies.

9. • A computer dealer in India
partners with R2 Certified
companies to sell affordable
refurbished computers.
• R2 requires all equipment to be
tested prior to selling for reuse.
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“Everyone should have the right to access technology.
By providing low cost hardware to people in my country,
I can help them connect to the world.” -- Computer Dealer
A Safe & Sustainable Solution:
Extending the life of reusable devices

10. © SERI – Home of the R2 Standard
Rethinking what we classify as “e-Waste”
How broken smart phones are being reused:
• Screens reused in video doorbells and
electronic toys
• CPUs reused in remote controls & e-readers
• GPUs reused in digital picture frames
• Plastics & precious metals recovered and
used in new products.
A Safe & Sustainable Solution:
R2 testing & reuse of parts

11. R2 Standard permits partnerships that safely
& responsible maximize reuse opportunities
• R2 certified company, along with
partners in Romania & Thailand, kept
more than 5 million toner cartridges out
of land-fills last year.
• NEW manufacturing of cartridges
requires 400% more energy & resources
than RE-manufacturing cartridges to
original OEM specs.
• 3.5 quarts of oil is used to produce the
plastic in each new cartridge.
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12. A safe & sustainable solution:
Maximize recovery & preserve resources
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“Urban mining” for valuable metals
and other materials contained in
end-of-life electronics:
• Electronics contain 40-50 times more
precious metals than newly mined ore.
• Requires significantly less energy.
• Leaves smaller environmental footprint.

13. A safe & sustainable solution:
Maximize recovery & preserve resources
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• One ton of recycled cell phones
yields $15,000 in precious metals.
• Recovering aluminum from used
electronics saves 90% of the energy
it takes to mine new aluminum.

14. © SERI – Home of the R2 Standard
Every One Counts…
Responsible recycling starts with YOU.
Less than 20% of electronics
are properly recycled.
Most U.S. households &
businesses are storing
unwanted electronics
that have great potential
for good… if recycled properly.

15. © SERI – Home of the R2 Standard
Every One Counts…
Responsible recycling starts with YOU.
Every cell phone, laptop,
tablet or computer that is no
longer in use can help to
preserve limited supplies of
natural resources –
IF recycled properly.

16. © SERI – Home of the R2 Standard
Every One Counts…
Responsible recycling starts with YOU.
Businesses, schools and
local municipalities can have
great impact by offering
designated collection days
for customers or employees.
Onsite pick-ups can be
arranged with R2 Certified
Recyclers.

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But Beware… many recyclers cut
corners, putting YOU at risk.
Illegal Dumping
Illegal Exporting
Data Security Breaches

18. © SERI – Home of the R2 Standard
Do you know what happens to your electronic
equipment after it leaves your possession?
You should.
The consequences of data breaches,
environmental liability, and civil and
criminal penalties resulting from lack
of due diligence can do significant
harm to your brand, reputation and
bottom line.

19. R2 Certified recyclers reduce your risk
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The R2 Certification means accountability and
adherence to the highest industry standards for:
• Data security
• Health & safety of workers
• Sustainability & environmental protection
• Compliance to all legal requirements & regulations
With rigorous annual audits to PROVE IT.

20. © SERI – Home of the R2 Standard
Most sustainable e-cycling standard.
Now operating in 21 countries.