Electronic waste, techno-trash and dead TVs. It’s proliferating fast, but we love our electronic devices and they generally serve us well. Most of the time.
They offer convenience and pleasure, increase productivity, maximise connectivity, and generate desire, however, they can also contribute to a range of environmental problems. Poor energy efficiency, toxic materials, short product life, and solid waste to landfill, are but a few issues. While the Greening of ICT and consumer electronics is picking up speed with much eco-innovation taking place, it is becoming obvious that industry is leading the way. OEMs, brands and suppliers are short-circuiting the design process to deliver better environmental performance.
Indeed the speed and scale of eco-innovation is unrelenting across ICT and consumer electronics (CE) categories including: Apple’s Design for Environment approach in the latest Macbook range; Panasonic’s focus on energy efficiency and ecodesigned plasma screens; and HP’s comprehensive environmental program. The era of electronics sustainability is showing what can be achieved when good design, environmental sustainability and commercial responsibility all work in harmony.
For an activist’s perspective on electronics sustainability, have a look at the annual ‘Guide to Greener Electronics‘ survey conducted by Greenpeace International. Although pious in its approach and tone, it nonetheless provides some confronting insights and opinions about global brands and their environmental performance. The Guide ranks the 18 top manufacturers of personal computers, mobile phones, TVs and games consoles according to their policies on toxic chemicals, recycling and climate change, and was last updated in May 2010.
Closer to home, the CE and IT industries are working collaboratively on a National Product Stewardship Scheme for end-of-life TVs and computers (including peripherals). In simple terms, they’re designing a take-back program to divert obsolete electronics from landfill and ensure that they’re recycled. The CE group is working through a not-for-profit ‘producer responsibility organisation’ known as Product Stewardship Australia, whose members include Sharp, Sony, Panasonic, LG, Sanyo, Hisense, Dick Smith Electronics, Toshiba, TEAC and several others. The IT sector’s efforts are focussed through the Australian Information Industry Association’s Environmental Special Interest Group, or E-SIG.
Both PSA and AIIA/E-SIG have been fiercely lobbying the Federal Government to put in place intelligent regulation that will ensure the entire electronics industry takes on it’s environmental obligations without the undermining influence of industry free-riders. Environment Minister Peter Garrett has vowed to solve this important issue and he is well advanced in delivering a positive outcome in early 2011. Basically, manufacturers, suppliers and importers of TVs and IT equipment will be told by Government … “You made it – You Take it back.” Nothing new for every other OECD country, but a belated initiative for Australia. The Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts has a created an E-Waste portal and regular eBulletin to keep the community, industry, NGOs and others updated on Federal Government regulations affecting manufacturers and suppliers of IT equipment and consumer electronics.
A major national event focussed on end-of-life electronics will take place in Brisbane on 21 July 2010. The E-Waste 2010 South Pacific Regional Workshop hosted by Griffith University features a comprehensive program dealing with all aspect of E-Wastes presented by speakers from industry, government, NGOs and research institutions. The Workshop is supported and endorsed by key stakeholders including the United Nation’s Solving the E-waste Problem (StEP) Initiative. For a detailed Workshop program look here.
Environmental foresight is a key platform for the WSP Digital solutions team. Our work in the digital sphere not only covers the creation of high-utility, user-friendly iPhone Apps, web-based tools and eLearning solutions, we’re also at the forefront of corporate sustainability advice for the consumer electronics and business imaging sectors. WSP Digital’s John Gertsakis is working with consumer electronics brands such as Sony Australia, Sharp Corporation, Panasonic, Sanyo and several other suppliers to design and deploy a national TV take-back and recycling scheme.
Listen to Gertsakis talk about E-Waste on ABC Radio
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