2Sustain

The EPA estimates that Americans generate almost 2.5 million tons of used electronics each year. But, are we throwing away equipment that’s in perfect working order?

New research from the UK suggests that in many cases, we are.

A recent study conducted by the Waste & Resources Action Programme (WRAP) revealed that nearly one-quarter of the electrical and electronic equipment routinely thrown away by consumers could be reused. What’s more, the researchers found that there is the potential to generate significant resale value from the repair, refurbishment and open market resale of waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE).

WRAP estimates that each year consumers in the UK take 348,000 tonnes of WEEE to recycling sites, while another 149,000 tonnes gather in bulky waste collections. WRAP’s research found that: (more…)

Business today relies on electronic technology. Computers, cell phones, tablet devices and the like are now integral to how we do our jobs.

Ultimately, though, this dependence comes with a heavy cost. Every year, the US alone produces some 2.5 million tons of used electronics, all made from valuable resources such as precious metals and rare earth materials, as well as plastic and glass.

As a global leader in the design, development and consumption of new and improved electronic technologies, shouldn’t we be doing more to curb e-waste and advance a more sustainable approach to the design and manufacture of electronic products?

Fortunately, the US recently took a significant step in that direction.

Late last month, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA),  along with Sprint, Dell and Sony Electronics announced the “National Strategy for Electronics Stewardship,” an exciting new private-public partnership aimed at curbing e-waste, encouraging sustainable electronics lifecycle management and promoting the domestic electronics market.

This new strategy includes the first voluntary commitments made by Dell, Sprint and Sony, and also commits the federal government to take specific actions that will encourage the more environmentally friendly design of electronic products, promote recycling of used or discarded electronics and advance a domestic market for electronics recycling that will protect public health and create jobs.

As outlined in the strategy report, the federal government will take the following steps: (more…)

Best Buy has released its sixth corporate responsibility report, which not only reveals the company’s performance highlights for fiscal year 2011, but also outlines several ambitious goals for the future.

For example, going forward, Best Buy is committed to:

• recycling one billion pounds of consumer goods and

• reducing its carbon footprint by 20 percent by 2020, regardless of how much the company grows.

In addition to these goals, Best Buy’s new CSR report discloses that, specifically with regard to environmental stewardship, the company already has: (more…)

Tyco Electronics Ltd. (TE) has released its first corporate responsibility report and launched the Tyco Electronics Responsibility Advantage (TERA) program, which the company bills as a commitment to its employees, customers, shareholders and communities.

Over the past few years, the electronics industry has been in the spotlight for manufacturing processes that endanger workers in the supply chain and poison the environment. Companies like Tyco are beginning to realize that by choosing to ignore these issues they are putting their operations –and their reputations –at significant risk.

“Tyco Electronics Responsibility Advantage is a key tool in our company’s strategy to deliver superior earnings to our shareholders, to be a premier partner for our customers and to attract and retain highly engaged employees,” explains Tom Lynch, CEO of TE.

Here are two highlights from the report that underscore TE’s environmental stewardship: (more…)

Panasonic Corporation of North America announced last week that it is stepping up its commitment to pursue eco-innovation in both its products and business practices.

Summarizing its commitment to environmental sustainability in an “Eco Ideas Declaration” pledge, Panasonic aims to become the number one green innovation company in the electronics industry by 2018, which is when the company will be celebrating its 100th anniversary.

The Eco Ideas Declaration provides specific goals for North America in two core areas of Panasonic’s overall Green Innovation strategy:

(more…)