Samsung and LG now have dozens of television models rated on the Electronic Product Environmental Tool (EPEAT) global registry for greener electronics, which recently expanded to include televisions.
EPEAT claims this is the first time a comprehensive standard has been available for consumers, companies and governments to identify eco-friendly televisions, including HDTVs and Smart TVs.
To be considered for the EPEAT registry, televisions must meet at least 24 environmental performance criteria and products can achieve higher ratings by meeting up to 29 additional optional criteria. The criteria were developed during a four-year consensus process that involved hundreds of representatives from the environmental, manufacturing, research, recycling and government sectors.
“As a long-time EPEAT partner for computer monitors, we recognize the value of this important program in educating consumers about sustainable products,” said Wayne Park, President and CEO of LG Electronics USA. “LG is proud to be among the first to meet EPEAT’s new TV criteria for listings on the definitive global registry for greener electronics.”
Samsung and LG together account for more than one third of global TV shipments and revenues, EPEAT says.
EPEAT rates products on a lifecycle basis, addressing the elimination of toxic substances, the use of recycled and recyclable materials, design for recycling, product longevity, energy efficiency, corporate performance and packaging, among other attributes.
The addition of TVs comes less than two months after the registry expanded to include printers, copiers and other imaging equipment. EPEAT expects several additional TV brands to join the registry as they meet the environmental criteria.
EPEAT’s rating system is used as an environmental requirement by eight national governments, including the United States, and thousands of purchasers worldwide. To date, more than 50 manufacturers have registered their PCs, monitors, copiers, printers, multifunction devices and now, TVs in more than 40 countries.
Since 2006, EPEAT claims purchasers choosing EPEAT-registered electronics over products that do not meet the system’s criteria have eliminated greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to 11 million U.S. vehicles’ annual impact, avoided more than 394,000 metric tons of hazardous waste and reduced solid waste by nearly 167,000 metric tons – the same as nearly 86,000 U.S. households’ annual waste.
Last year, Samsung and LG joined the EPA’s Sustainable Materials Management Electronics Challenge, which aims to provide a transparent and measurable way for electronics companies to commit to environmentally protective practices for the refurbishment and recycling of used electronics, and publicly show progress toward recycling goals.
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Founder & Principal Consultant, Hower Impact
Mike Hower is the founder of Hower Impact — a boutique consultancy delivering best-in-class strategic communication advisory and support for corporate sustainability, ESG and climate tech.
Published Apr 4, 2013 1am EDT / 10pm PDT / 6am BST / 7am CEST