CEA 2010 Sustainability Report - Consumer Electronics Association

Image source: http://www.apple.com/environment/
E N V I RO N M E NTA L
PERFORMANCE
SUSTAINABLE
PRODUCT DESIGN
SUSTAINABLE
PACKAGING DESIGN
SUSTAINABLE
FACILITIES
Apple Communicates User-Friendly LCA Results to Consumers
Apple was the first in the industry to complete a comprehensive life cycle analysis for every product
it ships to determine where its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions came from. Apple discovered
that 97 percent of the company’s footprint is directly associated with its products — from
manufacturing to customer use to recycling — and only three percent from its facilities. That’s
why Apple is focused on designing the next generations of products to use less material, ship with
smaller packaging, be free of many toxic substances, and be as energy efficient and recyclable as
possible. On “The Story Behind Apple’s Environmental Footprint” webpage, the company graphically
depicts the life cycle of an Apple product and the relative impact each life cycle stage has on
the environment. Environmental performance for individual products, including a breakdown of the
GHG emissions for each stage of the lifecycle can be found in Apple’s Product Environmental Reports.
SUSTAINABLE
TRANSPORT
& DELIVERY
ENERGY
EFFICIENCY
ECYCLING
The JIG Guide facilitates the reporting of material
content information in electronics products
across the global supply chain. This document sets
minimum requirements for material declaration
for electronic products based on the requirements
of RoHS, REACH and other existing
legislation, but does not preclude companies
from inquiring about the presence of additional
substances when necessary for their needs.
Utilizing DfE tools like LCA and the JIG Guide
enable CE companies to design more sustainable
products that use environmentally preferable
materials, fewer materials, and maximize reusability
and recyclability at the end of the product’s life.
The JIG Guide was developed by
The Consumer Electronics Association,
DIGITALEUROPE and the
Japanese Green Procurement Survey
Standardization Initiative.
To view the guide, visit: CE.org/JIG
Increasing Material Efficiency
Many electronics manufacturers also are working
to improve the material efficiency of their
products. This is known as dematerialization,
and results in products that consume fewer
resources, require less energy to transport, and
are easier to recycle at the end of life. Over the
last few years, product weights have decreased
dramatically in many product categories. The
Washington Materials Management & Financing
Authority (WMMFA) compiled data on average
weights of electronics produced from 2008
to 2010, and found that generally, weights have
decreased over time (see Figure 1). The outlier
in the group — LCD monitors over 19 inches —
has increased in weight since 2008 due to larger
monitors becoming popular.
SOCIAL
PERFORMANCE
SOCIAL
CONTRIBUTIONS
CORPORATE
SUSTAINABILITY
REPORTING
CE A 2010
SUSTAINABILIT Y
REPORT
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