Recycling Saves
Recycling one million cell phones recovers 35, 274 pounds of copper, 772 pounds of silver, 75 pounds of gold, and other valuable materials that are needed to make new electronic devices. Recycling one million laptops saves enough energy to provide electricity to 3,657 U.S. homes for a full year.
Environmental Protection
Some materials that makeup computers, laptops, and other devices are toxic to the environment and ecosystems. Recycling these devices through a responsible organization prevents these devices from ending up in a landfill and are neglected or refurbished.
Reuse Opportunity
Because reuse is the most environmentally beneficial option, the R2 Standard allows tested equipment that is in good working condition to be sold for reuse when legally permissible. Reusable parts and components are permitted to to be sold to certified downstream renders and refurbishers. Many used electronic parts can be safely recovered and reused to manufacture completely new and different products.