The Sony Vaio TZ11 notebook, the Sony Ericsson T650i mobile phone and the Sony Ericsson P1i PDA come out on top in Greenpeace’s “Searching for Greener Electronics” survey released t at CeBIT. But, the race for a green electronic product has not been won yet, each of these products scored just over half of the possible 100 points available to win.
Greenpeace is challenging electronics manufacturers to take responsibility for the entire lifecycle of their products - from production, through manufacture and to the very end of their products’ lives - and to clean up their products by eliminating hazardous substances and replacing harmful ingredients through safer alternatives or design changes while producing energy efficient products.
“Since undertaking the survey we have already witnessed the arrival of greener products in the market, such as the Apple’s new laptop, the MacBook Air, and Nokia’s new phone, the Evolve” said Yannick Vicaire Greenpeace International Toxics Campaigner. “Manufacturers still have a long way to go, but more and more are now taking the environmental impacts of their products seriously.”
“Manufacturers need to embrace a truly comprehensive approach. Consumers should not have to choose between a toxic free product or an, energy-efficient one. They should not need to ask if being recyclable is better than being durable. When a product offers all those standards and is marketed with consumer-friendly services expanding the lifespan as much as possible, then we can say there is a true green product on the market.
“The IT industry is capable of making all of CeBIT a Green Village, the question is how soon.” Concluded Yannick Vicaire.
Fourteen major electronics brands agreed to provide information for the survey, submitting information on their most environmentally friendly products - desktops, notebooks, mobile phones and PDAs (personal digital assistants). Thirty seven products were awarded points against green design criteria including: the substitution of hazardous chemical substances, energy efficiency and ‘recyclability’.
The survey demonstrates the different steps being taken by manufacturers to improve the environmental performance of their products. Several products showcase toxic-free innovations going beyond current regulations such as the EU’s Restriction on Hazardous Substances directive. Others show clear efforts to improve on energy efficiency, recyclability or upgradeability.
The Greenpeace survey assessed products for the presence of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) plastic, brominated flame retardants, antimony, beryllium and phthalates. In addition, it noted other innovations, such as mercury-free LED backlights in LCD screens. www.greenpeace.org/electronics-survey
CeBIT is the world’s largest trade fair showcasing digital IT and telecommunications solutions for home and work environments. www.cebit.de
The six chemicals regulated under the EU’s Restriction of the Use of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) directive are lead, mercury, cadmium, hexavalent chromium, polybrominated biphenyls (PBBs) and polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE). The Directive does allow for certain defined exemptions, however points were awarded under the Greenpeace survey on the basis of the number of exemptions claimed by manufacturers.