ISRI Adopts Responsible Practices into RIOS
In an effort to provide a 'one-stop-shop' for electronics recyclers, ISRI Services Corp. (ISC) recently adopted the Responsible Recycling Practices for Use in Accredited Certification Programs for Electronics Recyclers (R2) into its RIOS certification program.
RIOS (Recycling Industry Operating Standard) is an integrated management system standard that combines the management of quality, environmental, occupational health, and safety (QEH&S) issues into a single unified system. Developed specifically by and for the scrap recycling industry, RIOS provides a systematic framework for recycling facilities to use to achieve measurable, continual improvement in their QEH&S performance, without the need to spend time and money in developing and implementing three different systems.
R2 is an independent set of voluntary operational practices specific to electronics recycling. The practices were developed over the past two years by a multi-stakeholder effort, led by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The group included representatives from federal and state governments, recyclers, electronics manufacturers, and trade associations.
"Adopting R2 into the RIOS certification program provides a voluntary path for electronics recyclers to improve their facility operations and distinguish their company in the marketplace," stated Robin Wiener, president of ISRI. the national trade association for the scrap recycling industry.
The ANSI-ASQ National Accreditation Board (ANAB) and ISC are developing an accreditation program for certifying bodies to enable certification of facilities that use RIOS and R2.
"The R2 standards are the result of countless hours of collaboration among a very diverse group of stakeholders. Our company has remained committed to the [R2] process in hopes that a tool would be created to help customers of all sizes and types feel more confident when selecting an electronics recycling partner," stated Gina Chiarella, chief operating officer, WeRecycle!, Inc.
For information, visit http://www.epa.gov/epawaste/conserve/materials/ecycling/r2practices.htm.