The Consumer Electronics Association (CEA)® today offers the following advice to consumers who want to “give green” and are looking for sustainable, eco-friendly consumer electronics products this holiday season.
1. Look for green labels.
ENERGY STAR®, a public-private partnership program run by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), helps consumers save money and protect the environment by identifying the most energy efficient devices. Look for this label when buying new electronics for assurance your gift will use less energy and save money on utility bills. Click here to see information on products in the program.
“This is good advice for the holiday season and year-round. The efficiency gains achieved by the electronics industry are impressive and a product of the partnership EPA, CEA and its members have developed,” remarked Ann Bailey, director, ENERGY STAR® product labeling.
Additionally, EnergyGuide yellow labels on all new TVs give consumers detailed information on the cost of powering those devices on a yearly basis. Beyond energy consumption, EPEAT is another certification that looks at several environmental aspects of products, including materials use and recyclability. Search here for compelling EPEAT products.
2. Measure.
Studies have found the more you understand about your consumption the less energy you’re likely to consume – it’s as simple as that. Use CEA’s energy use calculator on GreenerGadgets.org to understand better the costs of your electronics usage on a monthly and yearly basis.
3. Note efficiency gains in electronics products.
In recent years, these devices have become far more energy efficient, which is a trend consumers should note when looking for the latest product models as holiday gifts. For instance, the amount of power needed for LCD TVs fell 63 percent from 2003 to 2010, and declined 41 percent for plasma TVs from 2008 to 2010. At the same time, TVs became thinner and lighter. Moving forward, TVs, as well as other consumer electronics, are expected to become even more energy efficient and environmentally sustainable.
For more efficiency tips, go to CEA’s Living Green page on GreenerGadgets.org.
4. Recycle responsibly.
According to CEA research, more than half of all holiday purchases over the Black Friday weekend were consumer electronics. It is likely consumers are replacing older models with the latest model in many cases. With older or outdated electronics, it is important to recycle or reuse such products.
Use the ZIP code search tool on GreenerGadgets.org to find a convenient recycling location near you. This list of recyclers only includes industry programs, which use strict standards, and third-party-certified recyclers. So rest assured your device will be safely recycled.
“These are easy, useful tips for consumers to be eco-friendly as they shop for and use the latest innovative consumer electronics products this holiday season,” said Douglas Johnson, CEA vice president of technology policy. “As consumers make purchasing decisions, they should realize the important role we all play in environmental protection and sustainability.”