Appliance Design - December 2008 - (Page 72)

ASSOCIATION REPORT: CEA President and CEO Consumer Electronics Association Gary Shapiro he Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) recently released the Environmental Sustainability and Innovation in the Consumer Electronics Industry report, chronicling the environmental achievements of the largest CE companies from 2003-2007. The findings were both interesting and encouraging. By restructuring the supply chain and minimizing the use of resources, green companies limit overhead costs, increase efficiency, and reduce waste. But there is still more that can be done. Inefficient energy use, both by facility operation and manufacturing processes, drives up costs and increases pollution. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), 30 percent of energy used in buildings is wasted or used inefficiently, accounting for half of all greenhouse gas emissions. By investing in cost-effective internal improvements, including smart system controls and more efficient HVAC systems, companies reap significant fiscal benefits. T A Sustainable Future for Consumer Electronics monitors has reduced energy consumption by 30 percent. The trends of product miniaturization and multifunctional products (such as PDAs) have also increased efficiency by combining multiple products into a single, small device that operates on minimal energy. Other ecodesign principles, including constructing new products from post-consumer recycled materials, are also catching steam. Lenovo’s Gold monitors are made from 25 percent recycled materials, and this percentage is increasing with every new model. Importantly, consumers are reacting positively to green products. Philips reports green electronics comprise 20 percent of sales, and Seiko Epson found that 46 percent of consumers consider green criteria when making purchasing decisions. While companies minimize the environmental impact of their products and manufacturing processes early in the product life cycle, including development and product use, efforts are also evident in the end-of-life stage. The 20 largest CE companies have recycled 600 million tons of electronics waste products. Furthermore, nearly twothirds of the participants have enacted recycling and reuse programs to reduce overhead costs. Specifically, NEC saved $500,000 in just two years by recycling 87 percent of its waste products. Additionally, companies such as Best Buy are demonstrating that a product’s lifecycle does not end when it leaves the manufacturing floor and are instituting retail consumer recycling programs. Stated simply, companies save money while helping to protect the environment. The CEA sustainability report highlights the efforts of a sample of CE companies, and so an industry-wide commitment to going green is paramount. Although progress has been made in energy efficiency, CE manufacturers can do more. Small steps to shrinking a carbon footprint include installing more efficient lights and evaluating HVAC systems, instituting corporate recycling programs, using recycled components to build new products, utilizing alternative energy sources to power electronics and manufacturing, and engaging in lean manufacturing. The CEA report is another step toward environmental sustainability. Now it is time for individual companies to take the next step in evaluating and adopting greener, more efficient practices to create a healthier and cleaner world. To download a copy of Environmental Sustainability and Innovation in the Consumer Electronics Industry, visit www.CE.org/green. < www.applianceDESIGN.com By restructuring the supply chain and minimizing the use of resources, green companies limit overhead costs, increase efficiency, and reduce waste. But there is still more that can be done. Intel’s improvement programs have saved the company more than 400 million kilowatt hours of electricity. Other companies, such as Nokia, are retrofitting or constructing facilities certified to the standards of Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED). LEED buildings use 25 to 30 percent less energy per square foot than traditional structures. By adopting lean manufacturing, companies can increase productivity while using fewer materials and spending less on resources including water and chemicals. They also produce less waste and create a safer work environment. In addition to internal investments, manufacturers are producing more efficient products in nearly every category. For example, manufacturers’ shift from cathode ray tube (CRT) monitors to liquid crystal display (LCD) 72 applianceDESIGN December 2008 http://www.CE.org/green http://www.appliancedesign.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Appliance Design - December 2008

Appliance Design - December 2008 Contents Editorial Shipments/Forecasts News Watch New Products Design Marts Meetings Directory of Appliance Industry Associations EID Call for Entries Design, Engineering, and Prototyping Electrical and Electronic Components Fastening and Joining Fluid, Gas, and Refrigeration Materials, Forms, and Fabrication Mechanical Components Software and Computers Testing and Certification Supplier Locator Product and Services Locator Index Association Report: CEA Advertiser’s Index

Appliance Design - December 2008

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