Old electronics don’t just disappear when you don’t need them anymore and you replace them – they just pile up in storerooms and warehouses until someone finally decides to deal with it. The problem is, dealing with it properly isn’t quite as simple as just throwing it in a skip, and that’s where an R2-certificed e-waste recyler is going to help. 

The R2 (responsible recycling) standard is the gold one for electronic recyclers that handle devices safely, securely, and sustainably, and it means that data’s destroyed properly, hazardous materials are managed responsibly, and reusable parts get a second life instead of ending up in landfill. 

The companies below all hold R2 certification and offer secure, transparent recycling solutions for businesses that want peace of mind when they’re disposing of old bits of IT equipment. Read on to find out more. 

Precision E-Cycle 

Based in Lincoln, Nebraska, Precision E-Cycle has built its name as a stable, trustworthy partner or electronics recycling all across the Midwest. It follows full R2 guidelines, and it even offers free pickups for qualifying orders, which means it’s especially convenient for any business that has to deal with a lot of retired hardware. 

What really sets them apart is that they’ve got a great combination of local reliability and corporate-grade professionalism, and every collection is handled with care, plus clients receive certificates of destruction verifying that their data and devices were processed properly. They handle everything from computers and servers to peripherals and consumer electronics, and because they manage logistics directly, their turnaround times tend to be short. 

ERI (Electronic Recyclers International)

ERI is one of the biggest names in the US e-waste industry, and they process millions of pounds of electronics every year. Of course, they’re R2-certificated, and they specialise in secure destruction, including on-site data wiping and shredding. Their clients include Fortune 500 companies, government agencies, and large retailers. 

It’s the scale of things that makes ERI stand out – they’ve got facilities across a number of states, advanced tracking systems, and a big focus on transparency. Every device is traceable from pickup to final processing, and their environmental track record is excellent, with a consistent commitment to keeping hazardous materials out of the environment. 

Sims Lifecycle Services 

Sims Lifecycle Services (SLS) is a global leader in IT asset disposition (ITAD) and electronics recycling, and it’s got R2-certified facilities across all of North America. They’re able to handle everything from data-centre hardware to consumer electronics, and they’ll give you both physical and electronic certificates of destruction. 

Sims has a lot going for it, including secure logistics, asset tracking, and even refurbishment programmes that mean the life of some products can be extended. And on top of that, they work closely with manufacturers to help turn retired tech into reusable materials. 

SK TES

SK TES operates all around the world, but its US facilities are fully R2-certified and they put a lot of focus on secure recycling, data destruction, and specifically battery processing. They serve large corporate clients that need detailed chain-of-custody reporting, and the paperwork that provide satisfies the strictest compliance audits. 

TES has also invested massively in lithium-ion battery recycling, which means it’s positioned itself for the future of e-waste recycling when electric vehicles and energy storage systems becomes more common. 

Apto Solutions 

Apto Solutions is in Atlanta, and it’s basically been leading the charge when it comes to transparent, traceable recycling – for over 20 years. Their R2 certification covers both electronics recycling and IT asset disposition, and they’re known for producing some of the most detailed sustainability and recovery reports in the industry. 

Apto has a circular economy way of doing things, so they go further than just destruction – they recover usable materials and components and feed them back into the supply chain in a responsible way, so they’re practical, measurable, and becoming more and more popular. 

Cascade Asset Management 

Cascade Asset Management is one of the most respected R2-certified recyclers in the US – they specialise in secure data destruction and responsible reuse of IT assets, and their main focus is about helping businesses reduce their waste and keep total control of their data at the same time. 

In fact, they publish an annual sustainability report that outlines exactly what happens to every bit of material they process, and that’s something few recyclers actually do, so it’s no wonder they’ve got some long-term clients. 

Greenchip Recycling

Greenchip is based in New York, and it handles electronics recycling, ITAD, and reverse logistics across the eastern part of the US. Their R2 certification means they’ll handle sensitive data in the right way, and they’ll recycle components in an environmentally sound way. 

As far as services go, they offer flexible pickup scheduling and real-time tracking, which is why they’re popular with schools, government departments, and businesses that deal with distributed IT networks. Plus, their processing facility in Brooklyn is known for its energy efficiency and low-waste operations. 

Quantum Lifecycle Partners 

Quantum Lifecycle Partners is headquartered in Canada, but it operates R2-certified facilities in the US as well, and it woks with major North American clients. Their model focuses on combining recycling and refurbishment so they can get the maximum value for used electronics. 

Quantum is really strong when it comes to large-scale logistics, and it can handle everything from enterprise IT assets to consumer take-back programmes, and on top of that, they also provide full environmental and compliance documentation for corporate customers. 

Sunnking 

Sunnking is another New York recycler, and it’s been in the e-waste business since the late 1990s – it’s still R2-certified for both recycling and data destruction. It offers free community collection events across the region, and it also has a commercial pickup service for businesses, making it really convenient to work with. 

Sunnking’s community focus makes them a truly approachable business when it comes to recyclers, and since they process millions of pounds of electronics every year, and they donate a portion of their proceeds to local charities, you know you’re making a good choice when you pick them.