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Green

Consumer Electronics and Being Green


We all have a stake in finding solutions for climate change and diminishing natural resources. Our global economy is also a global eco-system, and it's never been more important to share the responsibility of preserving our planet.

That's why the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) is proud to highlight the CEA 2010 Sustainability Report illustrating the industry's progress in pushing green initiatives. The report also provides transparency on the consumer electronics industry's sustainability practices.

While the report illustrates creative strides toward the goal of sustainability, there is still much more to be done. Learn more about the industry's recycling and energy efficiency efforts and how you can get involved.

Below you can find numerous recent studies and initiatives on sustainability:

  • CEA, along with the Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries Inc. (ISRI) and InnoCentive announced a second CRT Challenge on April 1, 2013 to identify financially viable, environmentally-conscious proposals for using recycled cathode ray tube (CRT) glass. Find out how to enter.
  • CEA, Environmental Defense Fund and InnoCentive announced the winners of an Eco-Challengein 2012 to develop compelling economic and environmentally preferable solutions for  recycling old cathode ray tube (CRT) televisions and monitors. Winners:
    • Mario Rosato, an environmental engineer from Spain who has won four previous InnoCentive Challenges, proposed a closed-loop process for separating the lead from the glass in a form with high market value for a variety of industries.
    • Nulife Glass Processing Ltd., based in Manchester, U.K., proposed a solution that utilizes an extremely energy efficient electrically heated furnace, uniquely designed to produce minimal emissions. Find out their progress in World's First CRT Recycler Coming to New York.
    • Robert Kirby, a mechanical engineer from New Mexico, submitted an idea for combining CRT glass with cement to create tile and bricks that are tested, labeled and sold specifically for applications where lead shielding is required, such as X-ray and fluoroscopy rooms.
  • "Energy Consumption of CE in U.S. Homes in 2010" found that despite the popularity of electronic devices, consumer electronics accounted for a relatively small share - approximately 13 percent - of the average U.S. home's electricity consumption in 2010.
  •  Sustainable Consumer Electronics Tech Demo, Sacramento, California, Aug. 30, 2011
  • "Materials Footprint Reduction of Televisions and Computer Monitors: 2004-2010," released in July 2011, found flat-panel TVs are 82 percent lighter and 75 percent smaller than their cathode ray tube (CRT) TV predecessors of a similar screen size. The report also found today's 40- to 70-inch flat-panel TVs weigh 34 percent less than 13- to 36-inch CRT TVs.
  • "Powering Intelligent Electricity Use," released in June 2011, found consumers are concerned about the cost of their energy use, yet lack awareness of emerging energy management systems.
  • "Unlocking the Potential of the Smart Grid - A Regulatory Framework for the Consumer Domain of Smart Grid," a whitepaper issued in May 2011, recommended new policies to improve the way Americans understand and manage energy consumption.
  • "Power Consumption Trends in Digital TVs," released in February 2011, found television manufacturers have made huge strides in creating more energy efficient televisions.  The study reviewed power consumption data on best-selling digital TV models from 2003 to 2010 - in both active and standby modes - on HD liquid crystal displays and plasma display models with screen sizes ranging from 13 to 65 inches.
  • The 2008 "Environmental Sustainability and Innovation in the Consumer Electronics Industry" benchmarks the industry's progress toward eco-stewardship, from design and energy efficiency to green manufacturing and clean delivery systems.
  • Going Green Globally: How Global CE Companies Prepare for Government Intervention in Recycling, Reduction and Reuse (Members | Non-members)
  • Home Technologies and Energy Efficiency: A Look At Behaviors, Issues and Solutions (Members | Non-members)
  • Going Green - An Examination of the Trend and What it Means to Consumers and the CE Industry (Members | Non-members)
  • Green Government Procurement (Members | Non-members)

GreenerGadgets.org

CEA operates GreenerGadgets.org - an online resource for consumers that highlights the industry trend toward "greener gadgets" -- smaller, smarter, more energy efficient devices that can do more than ever before. Tech-savvy shoppers now have more eco-friendly options and this resource has valuable information about how to buy green electronics, use them efficiently and recycle them at the end of their useful life.

The site also features a powerful energy use calculator with the most up-to-date products and energy use figures to help consumers better understand their energy usage and a recycling locator tool. When it comes to end-of-life electronics many people are concerned with what happens after they drop off their products. The recycling locator database includes industry programs, which use strict standards, and third-party certified recyclers, so rest assured your device will be safely recycled!