- checking login information
Loading...What Does a Green Cell Phone Look Like?
Written by Jaymi Heimbuch, a Treehugger blogger
Finally, a green(er) cell phone that looks good. Typically, cell phones that boast green credentials look like something that was on the market in 2005. But the Samsung Evergreen looks up-to-date — and it can brag about earning Platinum certification from UL Environment, a leading third-party certification organization.
Samsung reports that the Evergreen is the first Samsung product from AT&T to earn this highest level of certification from UL Environment.
UL Environment first started certifying electronics in 2009 with LG as its first manufacturer to get the thumbs up. The organization expanded its certification to mobile devices in August of last year.
UL Environment requirements measure environmentally sensitive materials, energy management, manufacturing and operations, impact to health and environment, product performance, packaging and product stewardship.
The Evergreen, which launched last fall, uses 70% recycled post-consumer plastics (likely all in the outer casing) and packaging that utilizes 80% recycled post-consumer paper. It meets RoHS standards including eliminating the toxic materials PVC2, BFR3 and Beryllium. It also meets Energy Star 2.0 standards for its charger. And, according to AT&T, eco-themed wall papers for the screen. It’d be great to have a study done to find out if this makes even the slightest difference among consumers when it comes to environmental awareness.
All in all, it doesn’t sound like it has made any significant improvements that would allow greenies to say, “Wow! Now this is a green phone!” But it is a phone that people both want to own and that they can say has met some qualifications for being less damaging to the environment. And for that, we must give some props.
Another thing we can give a thumbs up to is the fact that for every Evergreen phone sold since its launch, Samsung has donated $1 to Cell Phones for Soldiers, a non-profit that gives used cell phones to soldiers overseas so they can stay in contact with their families back home. And, AT&T collected over 3.7 million cell phones for reuse and recycling, and over 1.8 million pounds of cell phone batteries and accessories during 2010. The accomplishment is excellent, but also a stark reminder about how much waste we go through on an annual basis as cell phone users.
If you’re in the market for a cell phone and for whatever reason would rather not go the used phone route (which we definitely recommend), then the Evergreen sounds like a good option to check out.
This post was originally published by Treehugger.
Related Stories:
Our Phone Calls May Be Killing the Bees
Apple Rated As Least Green Tech Company
AT&T Merger Will Affect Students, But the Feds Fight Back
Read more: at&t, cell phones, green, Samsung, technology, treehugger
Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may
not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.
Recent Comments from Causes
Nice to hear -- yeah women often feel self-doubt, and men can be promoted for being mediocre, while women…
For people who eat them, how are they first killed?
Thank you
36 comments
+ add your ownWe've got to be more health-conscious
Is this cell phone really green? It still emits electromagnetic radiation that may be harmful to health, especially children's and pregnant women's, who are more vulnerable to this type of radiation. Manufacturers should also consider this aspect of wireless technology and work to create a cell phone which emits less radiation.
Great! I hope more phones are even greener in the very near future!
thanks for the article! Here's hoping the use of as much recycled materials as possible becomes second nature sooner than later!
I didnt even know about green phones. O_o
Thanks f
The use of recycled materials and the reduction in toxic chemicals is nice, but the simple fact is that some of the minerals that go into these phones, or any electronics for that matter, are Conflict Minerals. Do you really want your electronics purchases funding the genocide in Darfur?
This is great news! I really hope other cell phone companies vie for competition
Cool, thanks.
Awesome!! I need to look into this cellphone more. My current one is a four year-old Motorola Razr that has a crack in the front screen and is really slow at alerting me about new texts, voicemails, and missed calls. The fact that this phone is my from recyclable materials and eliminates toxic materials is a plus! =)
login to add your comment
use your care2 login
add your comment