Standards as Green Initiatives

John — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 21:58:48 +0000

Cast-off handset chargers generate 51,000 tons of waste per year according to the GSM association. However, a consortium of 17 handset makers and wireless operators have agreed to standardize chargers by 2012 for most cellphones made.¹ This will go a long way in reducing the number of cast-off chargers. Cellphones have become a ubiquitous part of industrialized society, and consumers tend to buy new phones on a regular basis. However, there isn’t a compelling reason, from a consumer perspective, to have a new charger for each new phone. However, these $30 accessories can be real money makers for companies. Which is why consumers should put pressure on companies to standardize chargers. That way, phones won’t need to ship with a charger, customers can reuse their existing charger. It will also eliminate the need to buy a new car charger with each new phone.

Another example of how standardization can reduce waste and save costs for consumers is headphones. Many purchasers of portable music devices are repeat customers. I personally have 2-3 pairs of iPod headphones that I will never use. Apple and other consumer electronics companies could allow customers the option of not having headphones shipped with their new iPod, and Apple could knock $5-$10 off the price of the device.

There are undoubtedly numerous other examples of non-value-adding redundancies that could be eliminated in order to reduce waste and save money.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123488469688000141.html

Telthorst.net » waste reduction

Standards as Green Initiatives