Certified Electronics Recyclers
On this page:
- What are certified electronics recyclers?
- Benefits of becoming a certified recycler
- Map of certified electronics recyclers in the United States
- Implementation Study of the R2 & e-Stewards® Recycling Standards
What Are Certified Electronics Recyclers?
EPA encourages all electronics recyclers to become certified by demonstrating to an accredited, independent third-party auditor that they meet specific standards to safely recycle and manage electronics. Currently two accredited certification standards exist: the Responsible Recycling ("R2") Standard for Electronics RecyclersExit and the e-Stewards®Standard for Responsible Recycling and Reuse of Electronic Equipment©("e-Stewards®")Exit standards. Both of these programs provide the following benefits:
- Advance best management practices
- Offer a way to assess the environmental, worker health, and security practices of entities managing used electronics
- Are based on strong environmental standards that maximize reuse and recycling, minimize exposure to human health or the environment, ensure safe management of materials by downstream handlers, and require destruction of all data on used electronics
Certified electronics recyclers have demonstrated through audits and other means that they continually meet specific high environmental standards and safely manage used electronics. Once certified, continual oversight by the independent accredited certifying body holds the recycler to the particular standard.
The ANSI-ASQ National Accreditation Board (ANAB) is the organization that accredits certifying bodies in the United States. They provide an updated list of which certifying body has attained accreditation to which standard Exit.
Benefits of Becoming a Certified Recycler
Responsible electronics recycling provides important benefits, such as the following:
- Reducing environmental and human health impacts from improper recycling
- Increasing access to quality reusable and refurbished equipment to those who need it
- Reducing energy use and other environmental impacts associated with mining and processing of virgin materials, conserving our limited natural resources
Map of Certified Electronics Recyclers in the United States
Facility Contact Information.Click on the indicator to get information on the facility. For each facility, the map offers some or all of the following information:
- Services Included. Refers to services the company includes as part of its electronics recycling operations. Examples of services include, but are not limited to, data security and asset management.
- Certification Program. Currently two accredited certification standards exist: the R2 Practices and the e-Stewards® standards. Both programs advance best management practices and offer a way to assess the environmental, worker health, and security practices of entities managing used electronics.
Facilities Certified to e-Stewards® or R2View Larger Map
Last Updated: July 18, 2016
Facilities Certified to both e-Stewards® and R2
Disclaimers and Limitations
Disclaimer of Endorsement: This map is provided for informational purposes only. Inclusion on this map does not imply endorsement by the EPA or any of its employees.
Note: Inclusion on this map does not imply compliance with applicable federal and state laws and regulations; only that these facilities have met the requirements of a third-party electronics recycling certification program.
What are the limitations of interactive maps? Interactive mapping tools are a challenge for accessibility due to the inherent visual aspects of mapping. These maps cannot be made fully accessible under Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (as amended in 1998). For the Certified Electronics Refurbisher and Recycler Map, if a person needs accommodations due to a disability, please access the links below for a complete list of certified recyclers.
Implementation Study of the R2 & e-Stewards® Recycling Standards
EPA completed a limited study evaluating the implementation of the two third-party certification programs for electronic waste recyclers in the U.S. - R2 and e-Stewards®. The goal of the study is to assess whether the Standards are being implemented transparently and consistently, and are achieving the desired results. Where appropriate, the final report provides suggested strategies and recommendations for improving implementation using input from stakeholder interviews and certification audit observations.