i3 - March/April 2018 - 41

By Elliot Grimm

Policy

G R E E N P O L I CY

Sustainability and
Innovation at CES 2018

ES is the world's gathering place for innovators and
breakthrough technologies. The show also is a breeding ground for sustainable technologies, products
and conversations, as seen at this year's "Sustainability Day."

Jerod Harris/Getty Images

At CES 2018, CTA partnered with the
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA),
Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT)
and industry members for a day of environmental-focused events. Highlights
included a press conference announcing
both the winners of EPA's Sustainable
Materials Management Electronics
Challenge and the Eureka Park Climate
Change Innovators contest, as well as the
results from an RIT study examining
materials trends in consumer electronics.
The EPA presented the Tier Awards,
which recognize companies for meeting
specific requirements under each designation as well as ensuring the responsible management and recycling of
electronics through the use of third
party certified recyclers.
The EPA also awarded its Champion
Awards in the categories of Product,
Non-Product and Cutting Edge, which
recognize companies for leadership and
innovative processes and products
focused on improving its environmental
impact. The Product Award went to LG
for eliminating hazardous materials used
in its OLED TVs and for lessening their
overall materials impact. Staples' "Make
More Happen" initiative to raise consumer awareness about recycling earned
the Non-Product Award. For its Galaxy
Upcycle program, which upgrades old

Galaxy smartphones into
new products, Samsung
received the Cutting Edge
Award. Honorable mentions were awarded to Best
Buy Co., Inc. in the Product
category and Dell Inc. in the
Cutting Edge category.

CES Climate Change
Innovators Awards

2018 EPA
Tier Award
Winners
GOLD

Vice President of Dell,
Darrel Ward announces
a jewelry line made from
recycled tech at CES.

Dell Inc.
Samsung Electronics
Staples Inc.
Xerox

study found that
although the number
For the first time at
and type of consumer
CES, CTA held a contest
SILVER
technology (CT) prodto recognize companies
Best Buy Co. Inc.
ucts sold has increased,
with innovations that
LG Electronics USA Inc.
the net material concould significantly
VIZIO Inc.
sumption has declined
reduce carbon emissions.
to levels not seen
The CES Eureka Park
BRONZE
since the early 1990s.
Climate Change Innovators
Sony Electronics Inc.
Using these findings,
awards highlighted startups
Phase II of the report
for cutting-edge solutions to
created a modeling tool that can estimate
help better protect the environment.
near-term product sales, stock in U.S.
The winners were: Conservation
households and potential future waste
Labs, K&A Wireless, Lightyear, Qarnot
flows. The predictive tool was demonComputing, Sharpell Technologies and
strated for four CT product types: smartWavelite. From a solar-powered car to
phones, drones, smart thermostats and
pollution monitoring systems, each honfitness trackers.
oree demonstrated technology's unique
At CES 2018, panels discussed what
ability to combat climate change.
policies and initiatives would create
RIT also presented the results of its
a path to greater sustainability. Experts
study Phase II: Sustainable Materials
from companies like Best Buy, Lutron
Management for the Evolving Consumer
Electronics and Samsung spoke about
Technology Ecosystem. Phase I of RIT's
the need to foster a culture of responsibility. Panelists encouraged companies
Sustainability at CES
across the industry to implement greener
goals, outside partnerships and a stronCES works to reach sustainability goals every year through coordinated efforts with its
ger sense of responsibility to combat
contractor, Freeman. At CES 2017, more than 1.6 million square feet of carpet were reused
climate change.
and more than 23,000 square feet of paper and mesh banners were recycled. CTA's booth
donation program enables exhibitors to donate raw materials and furniture no longer
needed after the show. In 2017, exhibitors collectively donated more than 285,000 pounds
of materials to Goodwill, Habitat for Humanity, Opportunity Village and more.
C TA . t e c h / i 3

Learn more about the sustainability
efforts at CES 2018 at CES.tech/Green.
MARCH/APRIL 2018

http://www.CTA.tech/green http://www.CTA.tech

i3 - March/April 2018

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