R2 Certification

I did a quick search and was surprised at the small amount of information on the forum regarding R2. Maybe I just typed the wrong search words, but I didnt see much, so will ask my question anyway and apologize for redundancy later:

Has anyone gone through, or currently involved in, the R2 certification process and willing to share insight on their experiences? While I am interested in doing it, I think it would be a good discussion on what to expect, what steps can be taken to make it go easier, what to avoid, cost involved, amount of time it took, etc. Maybe include a brief synopsis of your particular business for reference? I know I can find some info out with a simple Google search, but I'm more interested in what Forum members have to say based on personal experience. Thanks!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by shendog

I did a quick search and was surprised at the small amount of information on the forum regarding R2. Maybe I just typed the wrong search words, but I didnt see much, so will ask my question anyway and apologize for redundancy later:

Has anyone gone through, or currently involved in, the R2 certification process and willing to share insight on their experiences? While I am interested in doing it, I think it would be a good discussion on what to expect, what steps can be taken to make it go easier, what to avoid, cost involved, amount of time it took, etc. Maybe include a brief synopsis of your particular business for reference? I know I can find some info out with a simple Google search, but I'm more interested in what Forum members have to say based on personal experience. Thanks!

---

Think you may have meant R-12 which is being replaced with R-134a

Gus started this thread freon removal course. http://www.scrapmetalforum.com/off-topic-discussions/4557-freon-removal-course.html

Directly below the first post ParTimeScraper gave a link to the course EPA 608 Certification

Thanks for this thread, Shendog. I'm interested in hearing this as well. And, he did mean R2.

Edited...as I had the wrong "link".

If you are talking about R2 Rios . It is hard and takes a lot of time . One of the companies I ship to said they were well prepared . They were doing every thing right . Had all their ducks in a row and still took a lot of time and money. They told me it was worth it . It open a lot of doors. They are in a good size city . I ship my material to them . I use their certification to get more material . By telling my clients all my material will handle to R2 Rios standards . Which I do.

R2 Certification Process

https://sustainableelectronics.org/r...cation-process

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by alloy2

R2 Certification Process

https://sustainableelectronics.org/r...cation-process

---

Yes, that is the one I'm referring to. Anyone with advice or other info that wants to share?

I have spoken with Mario (Ewasted) on the phone numerous times........I am not speaking for him but he has always taken time out of his day to talk to me.....Give him a call like my dad always says he can't eat you or tell you anything but hey man I'm to busy to talk......Good to see ya SHENDOG and hope things are well

This is defiantly a subject that needs a little more discussion, tks. shendog for starting this thread. I have only just started researching R2, ISO and for my need Calif. requirements. Not only R2 but recycling, waste disposal and the "other" 3R's.

Look forward to this discussion on the forum, not today though. As I'm going to have a Super Bowl day, those that do be safe as I will too! Go Broncos!

It is tough, costly and requires tons of preparation, but it opens a lot of doors and shows your companies commitment to best practices. One of the best pieces of advice I can give is, document EVERYTHING and then document some more!

We are R2, RIOS, ISO9001, ISO14001 and OHSAS18001

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by HiTechMike

It is tough, costly and requires tons of preparation, but it opens a lot of doors and shows your companies commitment to best practices. One of the best pieces of advice I can give is, document EVERYTHING and then document some more!

We are R2, RIOS, ISO9001, ISO14001 and OHSAS18001

---

Tons of preparation...does that mean prior to even starting? Or is that as you go through the process? Did you hire an outside person to help in your Certification, or did you do it all in-house with your personnel? Any tips for someone that hasnt started yet to put them on the best track? Thanks!

From the companies I have talk to . If you are doing everything right . You need to have documentation . Showing each and every step you take. For the certification and the day to day operation. If you are prepared before you start it will go smoother. Plus it will cost you less to get ready. It will make your business more efficient and profitable also. If you are not prepared before you start you will be wasting time and money. Companies I have talk to that thought they were ready still had more to do.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by missouri

From the companies I have talk to . If you are doing everything right . You need to have documentation . Showing each and every step you take. For the certification and the day to day operation. If you are prepared before you start it will go smoother. Plus it will cost you less to get ready. It will make your business more efficient and profitable also. If you are not prepared before you start you will be wasting time and money. Companies I have talk to that thought they were ready still had more to do.

---

I guess the big question is, what are the "steps" you mentioned...the things to prepare? For instance, day to day operations...what needs to be documented? How things are disassembled? Where they are stored? Downstream destination? Do they get into financial data? Is there specific insurance requirements? Building security issues?

Not trying to dump a lot of questions, just wondering if anyone is willing to provide more detail on specific areas that could save time and effort later. thanks!

If you want to go to the isri convention in Las Vegas in April they are having work shops on R2 Rios .

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by missouri

If you want to go to the isri convention in Las Vegas in April they are having work shops on R2 Rios .

---

Not sure how much work I would get done at a convention in VEGAS

From the little i have researched about R2 cert, documentation is key. Record all incoming material. Record and have the info for all the downstream vendors for ALL your processed material. Garbage recipes, pcb board vendors, plastics, metal, everything.

R2 has an implementation guide on their site now! Very convenient.
https://sustainableelectronics.org/implementation-guide

It is easy to talk about how much business this generates... it is more difficult to talk about the number of businesses the costs have hurt. To be R2 certified will COST you more money to do business, period. It isn't for everyone and there is pretty significant talk out there from dozens of guys I know about even keeping it.

If you have no experience with framework, implementation or any other related parts of EHSMS or quality management systems, you are going to have to pay someone big bucks to do this for you. Then when you need to make changes, you need to pay them to do that too... it becomes the gift that keeps on giving for consultants

I know nothing about but I tend to agree with ewasted that from every thing I've heard it costs more money than revenue it produces....is there a tax break to be certified?....is there a kickback from gov't to being certified?...if not then I would have to tend to agree the ones that are making money off this are the consultants

Realistically speaking with diminishing values, tougher markets and more competition, the certification is more challenging to justify. We have it, so "maintenance" is much less resource consuming then implementation. If we have to do it today, I'd may not make the same choice given the market place.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Ewasted

Realistically speaking with diminishing values, tougher markets and more competition, the certification is more challenging to justify. We have it, so "maintenance" is much less resource consuming then implementation. If we have to do it today, I'd may not make the same choice given the market place.

---

Thanks for the input, and from what I can tell your assessment is spot-on. My situation is a little different in that I may need to get the certification to maintain a particular client. The size and scope justifies the expense, but it appears to be a daunting task to undertake. Having just an R2 downstream may not be enough, hence the research into getting certified. The additional jobs it may generate is an added bonus. I've resisted as long as i think possible, and if there were easier alternatives I would jump at them. We'll see how it plays out, and I really appreciate the input thus far.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Ecycle Atlanta

Thanks for the input, and from what I can tell your assessment is spot-on. My situation is a little different in that I may need to get the certification to maintain a particular client. The size and scope justifies the expense, but it appears to be a daunting task to undertake. Having just an R2 downstream may not be enough, hence the research into getting certified. The additional jobs it may generate is an added bonus. I've resisted as long as i think possible, and if there were easier alternatives I would jump at them. We'll see how it plays out, and I really appreciate the input thus far.

---

Consider a contract to outsource it to a R2 company... Our R2 costs annually, on average, as a small business, $30,000 a year. That is direct and indirect costs...

Don't get me wrong... we have it... I like having it... I do believe it helps us become a better company, however the economics of the business are different in 2016 than they were in 2008 when the first standard hit.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Ewasted

Our R2 costs annually, on average, as a small business, $30,000 a year....

---

So Ewasted just created his self another item of e-waste from the involuntary ejection of this mornings coffee on my keyboard rendering it worthless.

http://i.imgur.com/jTAzyMk.jpg?1

That number is no joke. I tip my hat to you good sir , and any other company providing this service. Thank You

Mario is right, it is expensive and if you add a consultant it is even more expensive. When I said it opens doors, I was talking about larger clients. I know some of our large clients require certifications. It all boils down to what are you as a company wanting to become. If you are going to go after the whale's, you will need certifications. The link Mario posted should give some guidance on how to prepare.

One other piece of advice is if you are going to get multiple certs, you might as well do them at the same time.