![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/international\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/139001_249755.jpg\")
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Do you know how this device, the one you are reading on right now, got into your hand or onto your desk?<\/p>\n
While it probably came out of a pretty box, if you could look through this screen back through the steps involved in making your shiny device, the picture you would see would likely be far from pretty: a supply chain still reliant on dirty energy sources fueling climate change, dangerous mining practices, hazardous chemicals, and poorly designed products that drive consumption of the Earth\u2019s natural resources.<\/p>\n
Did you know that\u2026<\/p>\n
It doesn\u2019t have to be this way. In fact some brands have at least begun to improve product design or make changes in their supply chains to reduce their impact on the planet.<\/p>\n
![\"Greenpeace](\"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/static\/planet4-international-stateless\/2017\/11\/GP0STQD4C-e1513773021342.jpg\")
Greenpeace volunteers group organizes a smartphone repair event in Beijing, China where visitors can repair their smartphones \u00a9 Wendi Wu \/ Greenpeace<\/p><\/div>\n
Much more than thinner devices or more megapixels, we need a fundamental shift in how our devices are made – a rapid move away from the disposable design that is becoming more prevalent in today\u2019s electronics.<\/p>\n
To identify which companies are starting on this transformation, we are re-launching the Guide to Greener Electronics<\/a>.<\/p>\n Greenpeace USA spent the last two years looking at the sector from top to bottom, evaluating the efforts of 17 of the largest smartphone, tablet, and PC producers. We identified three critical areas to measure whether a company is driving the necessary transformation in their product design and supply chains to protect the planet: (1) Renewable Energy Transition, (2) Reducing Resource Consumption, (3) Elimination of Hazardous chemicals.<\/p>\n Here are some highlights from this year’s guide…<\/p>\n The IT sector is estimated to already be responsible for 7-12% of electricity demand globally, with continued rapid growth expected. We\u2019ve seen Apple, Google, Microsoft, and Amazon respond to public concerns and begin transitioning their data centers to renewable sources of energy<\/a>, but only Apple has extended its commitment to be 100% renewable to include its massive product supply chain. \u00a0Major players in the sector like Samsung, Huawei, and Amazon do not even make public their supply chain greenhouse gas footprint. More of the earth\u2019s resources are going into our devices, to be in use for only a short amount of time before contributing to the 65 million metric tons of e-waste generated globally each year. IT companies must break this cycle and abandon planned obsolescence strategies, focusing instead on slowing consumption with devices that are designed to last longer, be easier to repair, and use more recycled materials. Fairphone, Dell, and HP are currently leading the charge in greener product design, while Samsung, Apple and Microsoft are headed in the wrong direction.<\/p>\n Elimination of hazardous chemicals was the main focus of the Guide to Green Electronics from 2007 to 2012. Ten years later, leadership by Apple is evident, but Samsung and several other companies have yet to meet commitments they made in 2009\/2010 to eliminate PVC and BFRs from their products. Much greater urgency across the board is needed to eliminate hazardous chemicals that are used in the manufacturing process, starting with known carcinogens, neurotoxins and hormone disrupting chemicals.<\/p>\n Overall, the average grade across the 17 companies in this year\u2019s guide was only a D+, highlighting that most companies have a long way to go to make devices that are sustainable. Fairphone scored the highest overall with a B, and was notable for its strong commitment to a product design that is repairable and upgradeable.<\/p>\n We\u2019ve seen that tech companies respond when they hear from the public, and they need to hear it\u2019s important to take responsibility for their growing footprint on the planet. Tech companies must shift away from their \u201ctake, make, waste\u201d business model, to one that preserves natural resources and uses renewable energy.1. Renewable energy transition<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\n<\/a><\/p>\n2. Reducing resource consumption<\/strong><\/h3>\n
3. Elimination of hazardous chemicals.<\/strong><\/h3>\n
What can you do?<\/h3>\n
\nElectronics made with renewable energy and designed to last? Now that would be innovative. Tell the companies what you think!
\nTweet to @SamsungMobile<\/a><\/p>\n