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Certifications
Minnesota Computers follows recognized certifications and industry standards to ensure responsible recycling, secure data destruction, and accountable IT asset disposition at every step.
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R2v3
Released by SERI (Sustainable Electronics Recycling International) in July 2020, Responsible Recycling R2v3 is a certification standard for electronics recyclers and ITAD companies. R2 stands for Responsible Recycling, while v3 represents the current version of the standard. R2v3 is the third major version of the Responsible Recycling standard.
This certification means recyclers follow strict requirements throughout their e-waste recycling processes, including worker safety, environmental protection, quality management, downstream accountability, and secure data destruction. It provides a framework for handling electronics responsibly from the moment they are received through their final disposition.
RIOS
Designed specifically for the recycling industry, RIOS (Recycling Industry Operating Standard) is a comprehensive standard that combines quality, environmental, health, and safety management systems into one.
The benefit of RIOS is that it is tailored specifically to the recycling industry and covers a wide range of materials, while Responsible Recycling R2 focuses specifically on electronics recycling. Together, these standards support a more consistent, responsible, and well-managed approach to recycling operations.
Industry Standards We Follow
NIST 800-88
Published by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), Special Publication 800-88 is the federal guideline for media sanitization. It provides a recognized framework for securely removing data from hard drives, SSDs, phones, and other storage devices before they are recycled, resold, or retired.
At Minnesota Computers, we follow these guidelines closely to help ensure sensitive data does not leave the facility with your retired hardware.
NIST 800-88 outlines three levels of data sanitization: Clear, Purge, and Destroy. These methods help determine the appropriate approach for each device based on its type and sensitivity level. Whether through overwriting, degaussing, or physical destruction, we use the appropriate sanitization method to ensure your data is securely removed and cannot be recovered.
HIPAA
HIPAA
Enacted by the U.S. Congress in 1996, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) sets national standards for protecting sensitive patient health information from being disclosed without consent or knowledge. While HIPAA is best known in healthcare settings, it also plays an important role in electronics recycling when devices contain medical records, patient data, or other healthcare-related information.
At Minnesota Computers, we take HIPAA requirements seriously. Every device that may contain protected health information (PHI) is handled using strict data destruction protocols, ensuring patient data is completely and irreversibly destroyed before hardware is recycled, refurbished, or resold.
GLBA
GLBA
Enacted by the U.S. Congress in 1999, the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (GLBA), also known as the Financial Services Modernization Act, sets national standards for protecting consumers’ sensitive financial information held by banks, credit unions, insurance companies, and other financial institutions. Its Safeguards Rule requires these institutions to protect the security and confidentiality of customer data, including when hardware storing that data reaches end of life.
At Minnesota Computers, we take GLBA requirements seriously. Every device that may contain financial records, account numbers, or other sensitive customer data is handled using strict data destruction protocols, ensuring that information is completely and irreversibly destroyed before any hardware is recycled, refurbished, or resold.
Comparison
R2v3 vs. R2-Partnered Explainer
R2v3
R2v3 is the latest version of the Responsible Recycling standard, introducing stricter, modern requirements for e-waste processing. It prioritizes rigorous data sanitization, enhanced physical facility security, and strict downstream vendor tracking to minimize environmental and security risks. Additionally, every individual facility must be certified independently.
Under R2v3, facilities are subject to standardized testing, grading, and quality management protocols (such as ISO 9001 integration). This guarantees that electronic assets are handled, sanitized, or refurbished to the highest global sustainability standards before reaching end-of-life recycling.
R2
The legacy R2 standard provided the original framework for responsible electronics recycling, focusing on basic environmental protections and worker health and safety. While it established initial guidelines for e-waste disposal, its requirements around data protection and facility security were broader and less stringent.
Earlier iterations also allowed multi-site umbrella certifications rather than auditing each location on a granular, facility-by-facility basis. As technology evolved, standard R2 was updated to R2v3 to better address modern data security risks, complex supply chains, and specialized electronics management.
How It Works
Four Steps. One Accountable Chain.
Built to produce the documentation an audit demands, without adding extra steps to your calendar.
1Site Assessment & Project Planning
We review your facility, inventory, project timeline, and any lease-end or operational requirements, then build a removal plan tailored to your environment.
2Schedule & Secure Equipment Removal
Once the project is approved, we coordinate de-racking, removal logistics, and pickup with your IT and facilities teams. Every asset is logged and tracked as it comes offline under a documented chain of custody.
3Data Destruction & Asset Processing
Data-bearing drives are sanitized or destroyed in accordance with NIST SP 800-88 guidance. Functional equipment is evaluated for resale and value recovery, while non-recoverable assets are routed to certified recycling.
4Audit-Ready Reporting
After processing, you receive inventory reconciliation, chain-of-custody documentation, serialized Certificates of Destruction where applicable, and a complete project close-out report for your records.
Let's Talk Before You Land in Vegas
Whether you're managing a multi-site IT refresh or just want to understand what direct R2v3 + RIOS certification actually means for your compliance program, we'd rather have that conversation before the show floor gets loud.