REFLECTIONS AFTER A SUCCESSUL CIRCULAR ELECTRONICS PROGRAM AT E-WASTE WORLD 2024 | |
It was highly rewarding seeing months of planning and hard work come together so successfully this past week in Frankfurt, Germany as SERI convened 30 speakers to deliver 25 sessions over two packed days in the Circular Electronics Program at E-Waste World. Full of thought-provoking discussions and a wide range of perspectives, it generated exactly the kind of impact you’d expect when you bring the likes of leading organizations like Google, iFixit, HMD, Lenovo, Logitech, TCO, SK tes, Sims Lifecycle Services, HP, Fraunhaufer, CTIA, and many more together for a whole-lifecycle journey into electronics sustainability.
We hope you’ll join us as the conversation continues at the eSummit in Austin, TX, this October!
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THE SERI ASSURANCE PROGRAM,
PART 2: AUDIT PACKAGE REVIEWS | |
In last month's R2 Newsletter, we wrote about the SERI Assurance program and its important role in creating a mechanism for the continuous improvement of the R2 Certification program. The Assurance program is also built to proactively create better outcomes at a programmatic level. If you missed it or want a refresher, head over to our website and get the full story here.
This month, we’re focusing on audit package reviews.
Audit package reviews are an important element of the Assurance program. In combination with other activities like spot inspections and witness inspections, the SERI Assurance program creates a feedback system to continually improve the R2 Certification program. Improvement is critical to drive progress in auditing and build confidence in reuse and recycling facilities. The SERI Assurance program protects the investment of each R2 Certified facility by rooting out bad actors and driving quality improvements.
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NEW eSUMMIT UPDATES: PRE-SUMMIT INDUSTRY MEETINGS AND WORKSHOPS | |
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We’re also very excited to unveil some of the first programming details about the upcoming eSummit in Austin, TX! The eSummit promises to be a landmark event in electronics sustainability where industry leaders, innovators, and organizations who rely on electronics will gather to discuss ideas, learn from each other, and collaborate on building a truly circular economy.
Before we kick off the main stage programming, there will be a variety of engaging pre-Summit activities on Tuesday, October 21 including:
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These industry meetings and workshops are another example of how the eSummit is bringing all stakeholders together in collaboration among attendees. Get more details on these and additional programming as we add it here.
WE CAN'T WAIT TO SEE YOU THERE!
Keep checking the eSummit website for additional details in the coming months, and don’t miss your chance to be part of this pivotal event in global electronics sustainability. For all the information about the eSummit, including attendee registration, exhibition, and sponsorship opportunities, visit our website!
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BASEL AMENDMENTS WEBINAR WITH BAN | |
Join us for an insightful webinar on July 16th at 2 pm ET (New York) regarding the changes to the Basel Convention. Jim Puckett from Basel Action Network (BAN) will discuss the Basel Plastic Waste Amendments of 2019 and the E-Waste Amendments of 2022, and explain what these changes mean for e-Stewards, and Mike Easterbrook from SERI will discuss what these changes mean for R2. Plus, there will be a Q&A session where you can engage directly with BAN and SERI. Don’t miss this chance to stay informed and connect with industry leaders. | | |
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R2 TIP: ARE BER MOBILE PHONES R2 CONTROLLED STREAMS?
We get this question a lot. The simple answer is yes, and here’s why. If an R2 facility determines that a mobile phone or other electronic device is beyond economic repair (BER), then that equipment is an R2 Controlled Stream.
In fact, all used equipment that is not tested and confirmed functional and data sanitized, if applicable, is an R2 Controlled Stream, which means R2 Certified facilities can only ship BER equipment to downstream buyers who have been qualified under Appendix A. Appendix A also requires R2 facilities to verify that any imports or exports of BER phones are legal prior to sending the shipments.
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THE POWER OF THE R2 KNOWLEDGE BASE | The R2 Knowledge Base is filled with videos, implementation articles, podcasts, and more helpful resources, all built to support the R2 community through the R2 Certification process. | | |
RECENTLY ADDED TO THE KNOWLEDGE BASE | |
WHERE SHOULD I DIRECT COMPLAINTS? – Though SERI does not intervene in disputes between parties when relating to R2, we are very much invested in the quality of the R2 Certification program, and therefore the process for how complaints and disputes are handled. Where should these issues be directed? This Q&A answers many of these questions.
INSIDE ELECTRONICS SUSTAINABILITY: FLAT PANEL DISASSEMBLY – How do we get to a sustainable world where electronics are properly repaired, reused, and recycled? We go behind the scenes in this new video series to show you how it’s done in practice in the industry. SERI's video series is intended to show a wide range of stakeholders outside of the industry how processes and activities in the electronics reuse and recycling industry are conducted. Though they will be fairly basic for those who process equipment, these videos should give viewers who are more removed from the process insight into topics that they might not be familiar with. In this first video, we discuss the disassembly of flat screen displays that have been in wide use for more than 20 years and are common in facilities that recycle electronics.
More videos are planned, and we hope you’ll share these with others who might be curious and not have the opportunity to experience these processes in-person!
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AVAILABLE R2v3 TRAINING CLASSES | |
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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.
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R2 AUDITOR TRAINING
Looking for in-depth, online, and interactive training on R2v3? These classes are open to auditors, consultants, and facilities. We have a range of class schedules to accommodate different time zones, including Mumbai in July. Space is limited, so sign up for the class today!
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EVENTS:
CHAMPIONING ELECTRONICS SUSTAINABILITY AROUND THE WORLD
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Each month, we let you know where we’re going and what conversations we’re having for two reasons. First, we hope you’ll catch up with us if you plan to be in the same places. But even more importantly, we want everyone to know how and where we are sharing our message, talking about electronics sustainability for a global circular economy and, in many cases, how R2 fits as a part of the puzzle. We see educating all the decision-makers to make better choices as a big part of the journey to electronics sustainability.
In June:
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Chief Operating Officer Amanda LaGrange shared SERI’s perspectives on an ITAD panel with HP and Foxconn at the RLA EMEA Summit in Amsterdam.
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The SERI team, including Corey Dehmey, Jeff Seibert, and Sarah Kim were on hand to lead the Circular Electronics programming for the second year at E-Waste World, while Macy Toal and Isabel Benitez had great conversations at the R2 Exhibit in the exhibit hall promoting R2 Certification.
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Also, Roger Greive spent two days at Mobile Disrupt in Las Vegas promoting sustainable mobile practices.
Where we're headed next:
As we prepare for the upcoming eSummit in October, we are directing much of our focus to making that inaugural event an amazing one for all, but our team will still be making appearances at various conferences around the globe. Check this space and our LinkedIn account to see where we’ll be next.
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INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS SUMMIT, BENGALURU, INDIA, JULY 4-5 – SERI’s Chief of Global Certification Programs Sharada Rao will be presenting R2 for Solar Panel Recycling at the International Standards Summit 2024 on July 4-5 in Bengaluru, India organized by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) and CII-IQ.
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RE+, ANAHEIM, CA, SEPTEMBER 9-12 – SERI’s Chief of Global Standards, Mike Easterbrook, will be promoting Appendix G and chatting with folks who handle photovoltaic modules (or PV modules) about the R2 Certification program.
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HOW CAN WE HELP YOU?
Let us know what questions you have or what resources you would find valuable. The SERI Team is here to help!
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The R2 Newsletter is a publication of SERI, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that works to create a world where electronic products are reused and recycled in a way that promotes resource preservation, the well-being of the natural environment, and the health and safety of workers and communities. | Got the R2 Newsletter as a forward? Sign up to start receiving your own copy. | | | | |
