Electronics Companies Form Recycling Coalition

DirecTV, Microsoft, Panasonic, Sony and Xerox are among the founding partners of a program to encourage companies to responsibly reuse and recycle electronics.

The Sustainable Electronics Recycling International’s (SERI) R2 Responsible Recycling Leader Program launches with a coalition of 10 partners including Goodwill Industries International, Greeneye Partners, Keep America Beautiful, SourceAmerica and Wistron Corporation, in addition to the five listed above.

The R2 Leader program includes a commitment from participating companies and organizations to support R2 certified electronics refurbishment and recycling, as well as consider R2 certification when choosing a recycling partner.

R2 Leaders also take a leadership role in a project to advance responsible reuse and/or recycling around the world, such as funding pilot projects for responsible recycling in developing countries, or creating new programs for electronics collection, refurbishment or recycling.

SERI manages the R2 electronics recycling standard and certification process.

Panasonic is also a member of the EPA’s Sustainable Materials Management Electronics Challenge. Member companies have committed to send 100 percent of the used electronics they collect to third-party certified refurbishers and recyclers, and to increase the amount of used electronics they collect.