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The 3 Traits All Green Gadgets Have in Common

July 27, 2009 by  
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While we may be gadget kings in Singapore indulging in the latest must-have phone, iPod or laptop, we seldom stop to think about the eco-friendliness of these electronic luxuries. The product materials, power source and reusability of parts are all considerations that will determine a gadget’s “greenness”. Planet Green shares some useful selection tips on gadgetry that will give you more to consider the next time you go shopping.

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www.planetgreen.com
by  Jaimy Heimbuch

How to Identify a Green Gadget

With all the many green labels and rating systems for electronics, it can seem confusing trying to figure out which gadgets are green, and which are greenwashed. There’s no getting around the fact that we have to research a lot of things to know if a gadget is eco-friendly. There are questions to askand resources to tap into. But luckily, there three basic traits to green gadgets, and the closer a device is to having a high level of all three, the greener it is. If you keep an eye out for these three simple traits, you’re well on your way to knowing just how eco-friendly a gadget is.

Three Basic Traits of Green Gadgets
1. Made Without Toxic Materials and with Longevity in Mind
Gadget companies are only barely starting to get better about eliminating toxic materials from their products. We mainly see the push among computer companies. The more we push for this, as well as electronics that are made to last, rather than made with planned obsolescence, the closer we are to having sustainable gadgets. You can use EPEAT as a resource for finding out more about what computers and monitors have cut toxic materials from their products. Greenpeace also grades electronics manufacturers and provides a report card for consumers to use when researching.
2. Used Well By Someone Who Charges it With Renewable Power and Maintains it for as Long as Possible
The owner of a gadget plays a big role in how sustainable it is. When a gadget is charged with renewable power—either because the home or office where it’s charged is buying renewable power from their utility company, or because the owner is using something like a solar or wind charger—then it’s that much greener because it’s avoiding the use of dirty energy. Also, an owner who knows how to repair or upgrade a gadget ensures that it says in the consumer stream and out of the waste stream for as long as possible.
3. Is Reused or Recycled So There is No Waste
Our electronics recycling systems still aren’t perfect. That’s in part the fault of manufacturers who use materials that aren’t recyclable, in part the fault of recycling plants who follow market conditions for what materials they’re willing to recycle and where they send them for recycling, and part the fault of we consumers who don’t have a perfect track record for ensuring everything gets back into the recycling stream at the end of its life. The more we know about e-cycling and the closer we get to ensuring that every product is reused or recycled 100%, the closer we’ll be to having sustainable gadgets.

Three Basic Traits of Green Gadgets

1. Made Without Toxic Materials and with Longevity in Mind

Gadget companies are only barely starting to get better about eliminating toxic materials from their products. We mainly see the push among computer companies. The more we push for this, as well as electronics that are made to last, rather than made with planned obsolescence, the closer we are to having sustainable gadgets. You can use EPEAT as a resource for finding out more about what computers and monitors have cut toxic materials from their products. Greenpeace also grades electronics manufacturers and provides a report card for consumers to use when researching.


2. Used Well By Someone Who Charges it With Renewable Power and Maintains it for as Long as Possible

The owner of a gadget plays a big role in how sustainable it is. When a gadget is charged with renewable power—either because the home or office where it’s charged is buying renewable power from their utility company, or because the owner is using something like a solar or wind charger—then it’s that much greener because it’s avoiding the use of dirty energy. Also, an owner who knows how to repair or upgrade a gadget ensures that it says in the consumer stream and out of the waste stream for as long as possible.

3. Is Reused or Recycled So There is No Waste

Our electronics recycling systems still aren’t perfect. That’s in part the fault of manufacturers who use materials that aren’t recyclable, in part the fault of recycling plants who follow market conditions for what materials they’re willing to recycle and where they send them for recycling, and part the fault of we consumers who don’t have a perfect track record for ensuring everything gets back into the recycling stream at the end of its life. The more we know about e-cycling and the closer we get to ensuring that every product is reused or recycled 100%, the closer we’ll be to having sustainable gadgets.

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