Responsible Recycling Standard (R2v3)
The gold standard for electronics recyclers
R2v3 is the leading certification standard for the electronics recycling industry, developed by Sustainable Electronics Recycling International (SERI). It establishes requirements for responsible management of used electronics through reuse, recovery, and recycling. R2v3 is the most widely recognized standard for electronics recyclers in North America.
What This Means for Your Business
Every piece of equipment is tracked from receipt to final disposition with full chain-of-custody documentation
Data-bearing devices are processed using NIST 800-88 compliant methods — wiping, degaussing, or physical destruction
Downstream vendors are audited annually to ensure responsible processing and no export to unauthorized facilities
Environmental, health, and safety management systems are maintained and regularly audited
Workers are trained on proper handling of hazardous materials including CRTs, batteries, and mercury-containing devices
Regular third-party audits verify compliance with all R2v3 requirements
Why It Matters
When you work with an R2v3 certified recycler, you can be confident that your equipment is handled responsibly from start to finish. Your data is destroyed to documented standards, your compliance obligations are met, and nothing ends up in a landfill or shipped to unauthorized facilities overseas.
Especially Important For
ISO 9001:2015 — Quality Management Systems
Consistent quality in every process
ISO 9001 is the international standard for quality management systems (QMS), published by the International Organization for Standardization. It provides a framework for organizations to consistently deliver products and services that meet customer and regulatory requirements. Over one million organizations worldwide are ISO 9001 certified.
Verify on Perry Johnson RegistrarsWhat This Means for Your Business
Documented processes for every service — from equipment intake to data destruction to final recycling
Regular internal audits and management reviews to identify and correct issues before they affect customers
Customer feedback is systematically collected and used to drive continuous improvement
Every employee understands their role in maintaining quality standards
Non-conformances are tracked, root causes are identified, and corrective actions are implemented
Key performance indicators are monitored to ensure consistent service delivery
Why It Matters
ISO 9001 certification means our processes are not ad hoc — they are documented, measured, and continuously improved. When you schedule a pickup, request data destruction, or need documentation for an audit, you get the same reliable experience every time.
Especially Important For
ISO 14001:2015 — Environmental Management Systems
Verified environmental responsibility
ISO 14001 is the international standard for environmental management systems (EMS). It provides a framework for organizations to protect the environment, respond to changing environmental conditions, and fulfill compliance obligations. It demonstrates a commitment to environmental stewardship that goes beyond basic regulatory compliance.
Verify on Perry Johnson RegistrarsWhat This Means for Your Business
Environmental impact is assessed for every process — from transportation to material processing to waste handling
Hazardous materials (lead, mercury, cadmium, lithium) are identified, segregated, and processed through certified channels
Zero-landfill policy — all materials are reused, recycled, or processed through approved downstream partners
Environmental objectives and targets are set annually and progress is tracked
Emergency preparedness plans are in place for spills, fires, and other environmental incidents
Compliance with all federal, state, and local environmental regulations is continuously monitored
Why It Matters
Electronics contain hazardous materials that can contaminate soil and groundwater if improperly handled. ISO 14001 certification verifies that we have systems in place to prevent environmental harm and continuously reduce our environmental footprint. Your recycling is genuinely responsible — not just claimed to be.
Especially Important For
ISO 45001:2018 — Occupational Health & Safety
Protecting the people who do the work
ISO 45001 is the international standard for occupational health and safety management systems. It provides a framework for preventing work-related injury and ill health, and for providing safe and healthy workplaces. Electronics recycling involves physical handling of heavy equipment, exposure to hazardous materials, and operation of industrial machinery — making worker safety a critical concern.
Verify on Perry Johnson RegistrarsWhat This Means for Your Business
Hazard identification and risk assessment for every task — from lifting 42U server racks to processing CRT monitors
Personal protective equipment (PPE) requirements are defined and enforced for all processing areas
Workers receive regular training on safe handling of hazardous materials and operation of industrial equipment
Incident reporting and investigation procedures ensure root causes are identified and addressed
Regular workplace inspections and safety audits are conducted by trained personnel
Worker consultation and participation in safety decisions is built into our management system
Why It Matters
When our team arrives at your facility for a decommissioning project, they follow documented safety procedures. When equipment is processed at our facility, workers are protected. ISO 45001 certification means we take worker safety as seriously as we take data security and environmental responsibility.
Especially Important For
What Certifications Actually Mean in Practice
Certifications are only as good as the systems behind them. Here is how ours translate into real protections for your business.
Data Security
Every data-bearing device is logged, tracked, and processed using NIST 800-88 methods. You receive serialized Certificates of Destruction for your audit records.
Regulatory Compliance
Our certifications help you meet HIPAA, GLBA, SOX, FERPA, and PCI DSS requirements for IT asset disposal. Documentation is audit-ready.
Environmental Protection
Zero-landfill processing. Hazardous materials are handled through certified channels. Downstream vendors are audited annually.
Worker Safety
Our team follows documented safety procedures at your facility and ours. PPE, training, and incident reporting are built into every process.
Continuous Improvement
Annual audits, internal reviews, and customer feedback drive ongoing improvements to our processes and service quality.
Full Documentation
Asset inventories, chain-of-custody records, Certificates of Destruction, and disposition reports — everything you need for compliance.
Trusted by Michigan Businesses
We needed HIPAA-compliant data destruction for over 200 hard drives. eLake provided serialized Certificates of Destruction for every single drive. Their R2v3 certification gave our compliance team the documentation they needed.
We switched to eLake after our previous recycler couldn't provide proper chain-of-custody documentation. The difference is night and day. Every piece of equipment is tracked and accounted for. Our auditors are happy.
eLake decommissioned our entire server room — 12 racks, networking equipment, UPS systems. They handled everything from disconnect to removal to certified recycling. Professional team, fast turnaround.
We had 50+ old laptops and desktops to recycle. eLake picked them up for free, wiped all the drives, and even gave us credit for the working machines. Simple process, great communication throughout.
As a school district, we need FERPA compliance for student data. eLake understood our requirements immediately and provided all the documentation we needed. They've handled three large batches for us now.
We needed to dispose of old computers and a copier with a hard drive. eLake explained the data risks we hadn't even considered and made sure everything was properly destroyed. Very thorough and professional.
BBB A+ Rated
In addition to our ISO and R2v3 certifications, eLake Tech Solutions maintains an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau. This reflects our commitment to transparent business practices, responsive customer service, and ethical operations.
Verify our BBB A+ ratingWork with a Certified Recycler
Get a free quote for certified electronics recycling and data destruction. R2v3, ISO 9001, ISO 14001, and ISO 45001 certified.