R2 NEWSLETTER: MAY 2025

FROM CORPORATE IT CLOSETS TO THE UNITED NATIONS: 

SERI'S HAVING MANY DIVERSE CONVERSATIONS 

Over the past month, SERI leadership has been taking our mission to diverse forums around the world, from industry conferences to global policy discussions. These conversations represent our commitment to championing sustainable electronics practices wherever decisions are made about how electronics are designed, used, and managed throughout their lifecycle. 

At IAITAM ACE in Las Vegas, NV, Mike Easterbrook, SERI’s Chief of Global Standards, shared how IT asset management decisions can drive meaningful social and environmental outcomes with measurable metrics that help verify the real impacts of these decisions. The conference brought together thousands of IT professionals exploring how asset management impacts business operations and compliance. Mike's session emphasized that every technology lifecycle decision creates measurable environmental and social impacts that can be tracked and improved. 

At Circularity in Denver, CO, Jeff Seibert, SERI’s Chief Provocateur, led a conversation between leaders from Allstate, Onepak, and Google to explore how organizations can transform IT asset disposition from an afterthought into a strategic driver of circular practices. They discussed how companies can leverage ITAD programs to demonstrate circular principles in action, from implementing internal device marketplaces to creating transparency around downstream material flows. 

At ReMa in San Diego, CA, Mike connected with members from the R2 community among the nearly 7,000 attendees who gathered for the largest recycled materials industry event in the world. For four days, the recycling industry came together to sharpen their skills, gain knowledge, build relationships, and grow their businesses, providing a great opportunity to talk shop with the electronics facilities on the front lines. 

In Geneva, Switzerland, Corey Dehmey, SERI CEO, engaged with the Intergovernmental Group of Experts on E-Commerce and the Digital Economy in collaboration with the UN Commission on Trade and Development to discuss the environmental and social challenges of global digitalization. As countries worldwide pursue accelerated digitalization, many lack the devices and infrastructure needed for citizens to access the internet or maintain reliable power for electronics. Corey's discussions with member states focused on how quality used electronics can help bridge this digital divide while addressing the environmental impacts from mining natural resources needed for new device production and the strain that data centers place on already limited power grids and water supplies in developing nations. 

Corey also recently sat down with IGNITO, a quarterly publication by the India Cellular & Electronics Association (ICEA) to talk about opportunities for advancing circularity in India through EPR policies, increased public-private collaboration, extending device lifespans, the right to repair, data security, and more. 

From ITAD to recycling to global policymaking, these are just a few of the conversations we’re having around the world, all centered on making better decisions about electronics throughout their lifecycle. Each forum brings different perspectives, but the ultimate focus remains the same: helping all stakeholders understand their role in making electronics sustainable.  

These important discussions and more continue at the ITAD & Circular Electronics Conference & Expo in Frankfurt, Germany, on June 11-12, 2025, where we’ve put together a two-day agenda packed with practical sessions on circular electronics and sustainable thinking in the ITAD world. And this September 8-11, we’re hosting the eSummit in Minneapolis, where the entire electronics ecosystem gathers to drive innovation and collaboration. We hope to see you there, and anywhere else! 

R2 EQUIPMENT CATEGORIZATION (REC)

NOW AVAILABLE IN SEVEN LANGUAGES 

The R2 Equipment Categorization (REC) v1.2 document is now available in English, Portuguese, French, Spanish, Japanese, Chinese, and Hindi. 

SERI RETHINK AWARDS - NOMINATE ELECTRONICS SUSTAINABILITY INNOVATORS 

Is your organization making systems-level change? Or do you know one who is? The ReThink Awards recognize organizations that aren't just making incremental improvements but are catalyzing changes that could transform entire approaches to electronics industry-wide. They're the disruptors, challengers, and leaders who take the first big leaps forward and dare to ask "what if?" 

Winners will be celebrated at eSummit 2025 and receive unique awards created by expert carpenter and found-object multimedia artist Steve Heller, of Boiceville, NY, using electronic components donated by PAR Recycle Works in Philadelphia, PA. These one-of-a-kind pieces turn what many consider worthless end-of-life electronics into valuable art, embodying the spirit of rethinking electronics sustainability. Nominations close June 30. 

eSUMMIT INDUSTRY AWARDS RECOGNIZE INDIVIDUAL IMPACT  

The eSummit Industry Awards celebrate individual contributors making real impact in electronics sustainability. These peer-nominated, peer-voted awards are truly of the industry, by the industry, for the industry – and that’s you! 

The Industry Awards are comprised of two categories recognizing different types of contributions: the Jim Lynch Hall of Fame Award (lifetime achievement honoring industry veterans), and the Rising Star Award (celebrating emerging leaders bringing fresh energy and bold ideas). 

The process is simple: nominate deserving colleagues, then vote for finalists via the official eSummit app in the days leading up to the event. Winners will be announced at eSummit's Tuesday evening reception. Nominations close July 31. 

R2 NEWSLETTER

IS TAKING A SUMMER VACATION 

We’re always thinking about the best ways to deliver all the important information to the R2 Community in a timely manner, and we’ve got a few new ideas in mind that we want to try out. So, after this edition, we’re taking a little time off over the summer to reset, and when everyone comes back from your summer vacations (or winter breaks, depending on where you are in the world) we look forward to reconnecting, both here and at the eSummit!  

Between now and then, we’ll be sure to send any important R2 news – just in a little different format that you are used to. 

Until the relaunch, wishing you safe travels, wherever they may take you! 

The SERI Marketing Team 

R2 TIP: DEVELOPING A FOCUS MATERIALS MANAGEMENT PLAN, PART 2

Core 8(a)(2) requires Focus Materials Management Plans (FMMPs) to include the planned methods used to process each type of electronic equipment containing a Focus Material (FM). This month, we’ll be showing how the “planned methods” work in conjunction with the other requirements of the FMMP to help tell a story of how your facility processes equipment, components, and materials.    

Let us consider the example of an R2 Facility processing mobile phones. In this example, the planned methods of processing are 1) testing, 2) harvesting working components for reuse, and 3) removal of materials for materials recovery. Each process has outputs, and the FMMP should specify the planned methods for processing those outputs (e.g. working components sold for reuse and DSVs for materials recovery). Finally, the FMMP states the planned methods of the DSVs for each output until final disposition or the first R2 Facility.  

(Core 8(a)(1) requires FMMPs to include the “demonstrated expertise and capabilities” required to process equipment with FMs. Those FMMP requirements were covered in the April R2 Tip.) 

RECENTLY ADDED TO R2 KNOWLEDGE BASE

AVAILABLE R2 TRAINING CLASSES

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 multiple times per month and are offered to accommodate time zones on all continents.

Select a day and time the works best for you before, during, or after your normal workday.  

Find your region to see upcoming dates and register!

También disponible en español

R2 AUDITOR TRAINING

While primarily created for Certification Body (CB) auditors and Accreditation Body (AB) assessors, SERI also offers a version tailored for facilities and consultants.

Learn more about Auditor Training and see upcoming courses

Each month, we let you know where we’re going and what conversations we’re having for two reasons. First, we simply hope you’ll catch up with us if you’re in the same places. Second, we want to show how we're actively promoting electronics sustainability for a global circular economy, often highlighting R2's role in this important work. By engaging decision-makers across various forums, we're helping drive better choices throughout the electronics lifecycle. 

Where we're headed next:

• ITAD & Circular Electronics Conference, Frankfurt, Germany, June 11-12 – SERI has collaborated with the all-new ITAD & Circular Electronics Conference to build an exciting agenda. Topics in this conference will focus on enabling longer use of electronics to create a circular economy, including design, repair, ITAD & remarketing, and the rest of the electronics value chain.
• RLA EMEA Summit, Amsterdam, Netherlands, June 25-26 – While reverse logistics spans many industries, electronics present unique challenges around data security, hazardous materials, and complex refurbishment decisions. Stop by the SERI booth to talk about how R2 helps address these concerns within your supply chain. 
• eSummit 2025, Minneapolis, MN, Sept. 8-11 – Join industry leaders, innovators, and forward-thinkers in Minneapolis this September for collaboration across the entire electronics lifecycle. Last year brought together manufacturers, recyclers, refurbishers, regulators, policymakers, and more to drive meaningful progress toward a circular economy. This year promises even more opportunities for networking, knowledge-sharing, and actionable solutions. Registration is now open, and exhibitor opportunities are available!

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