News

Recycling certifications prove ecoATM's commitment to environment

September 7, 2011

The San Diego start-up, ecoATM, that buys back and recycles consumer electronics, has received the Responsible Recycling (R2) certification as well as the associated ISO14001 certification.

R2, a high-performance bar for the electronics recycling industry, requires responsible management of materials through the entire recycling process, prohibits illegal export of materials while ensuring recycling processes are safe and secure.

The program is an accreditation standard that keeps recyclers accountable, offers a seal of approval for responsible recyclers and waste management companies, protects employees throughout the supply chain, and protects the people in the developing world who are exposed to e-waste, according to the EPA.

"By providing instant cash incentives and convenience, ecoATM is inspiring mass participation in electronics recycling and forever altering the current wasteful life-cycle of consumer electronics,” said Tom Tullie Chairman and CEO of ecoATM, which earned the certification following an audit conducted by an ANSI-ASQ National Accreditation Board third-party auditor. “EcoATM has always used best practices to handle the devices we collect but by gaining R2 and ISO14001 certifications we have further demonstrated our commitment to the environment and our customers,"

R2, with its origins in the EPA, has become the de facto industry standard for responsible recycling of electronics as it provides a disciplined framework in which responsible recyclers can operate and be recognized by their customers and partners for their discipline, according toTullie.

ISO 14001, the other certification ecoATM earned, is a globally accepted set of requirements for environmental management systems established by the International Organizations for Standardization (ISO) focused on assisting companies in reducing their environmental impact.