Grand Rapids, Michigan — Tech Defenders, a Grand Rapids-based company that focuses on the repurposing and remarketing of mobile electronic devices, announced that it has received the designation, R2v3, an esteemed certification in the ITAD industry established and monitored by SERI (Sustainable Electronics Recycling International).
After an almost yearlong process which included audits in areas of environmental, health & safety, downstream vendors, legal compliance, internal data security and sanitization, and quality management systems, SERI designated Tech Defenders an R2v3 certified facility.
Being awarded an R2v3 certification means that a company has demonstrated that all electronic equipment is being recycled following the highest standards for environmental protection, data privacy and destruction, facility security, and worker safety. The certification is issued by a cooperative of electronics recycling stakeholders including the Sustainable Electronics Recycling International.
“Obtaining this R2v3 certification is a big step towards maintaining our overall goal of making technology affordable and keeping it out of landfills. This certification strengthens our commitment to that goal as well as demonstrates to our clientele that we stick to the core principles our business was built on. Our team has done a fantastic job preparing for this and I’m so proud of how quickly we’ve all adapted to the new regulations SERI has implemented.”
— Garry VonMyhr, CEO and Co-Founder of Tech Defenders
Along with the R2v3 certification, Tech Defenders also became re-certified in ISO 14001, ISO 45001, and ISO 9001. ISO 14001 focuses on environmental management systems, setting criteria under which a system is certified based on EPA Standards. ISO 45001 is focused on occupational health and safety of our workforce and ISO 9001 focused on quality testing, refurbishment, data sanitization and recycling processes for used electronic equipment for that consider the protection of the environment as well as the health and safety of its workers.
These certifications also include extensive audits & continuous improvement of a company’s facility, and provides transparency for companies and organizations looking to identify and control their environmental impact and ensure the security of their data or hardware upon retiring those devices.
About Tech Defenders
Tech Defenders is an IT Asset Disposition and Electronics Repair Depot servicing high volume education and enterprise customers. Headquartered in Grand Rapids, MI, Tech Defenders offers end-to-end lifecycle services designed to minimize on-going maintenance costs and maximize the recovery value of aging and obsolete technology. For more information on Tech Defenders services, please visit techdefenders.com.
