Technology is advancing on a daily basis, with companies all over the world feverishly competing to come up with the latest innovations in the lucrative laptop, tablet computer and smartphone markets.
As technology develops at an ever faster pace, there’s also an increasing concern about its impact on the environment, and the last few years have seen growth in the popularity of eco-friendly devices.
Developing Eco-friendly Technology Products
Manufacturers have shown eagerness to respond to this growing demand, making eco-friendly features a focus of their products from the development stage. Producers of laptops, smartphones and other devices are increasingly using recyclable materials in their product casings, as well as improving the life of batteries, thereby reducing the amount of waste.
Consumer Power
Research shows that consumers are concerned about the impact of electronic devices on the environment. More than 4 out of 5 people in the UK believe it is important for a company to put in place programmes for environmental protection; and 1 in 5 would even pay more money to get their hands on an eco-friendly product, according to Nielsen’s 2011 ‘Global Online Environment & Sustainability’ survey. So, it seems that even in the midst of a recession, a significant proportion of people are still willing to pay more for green technology.
The Influence of Government
Government procurement procedures have always been a complicated affair, but even these are now increasingly starting to include an eco-friendly clause in their requirements. In the United States, the Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool (EPEAT) exists so that government agencies, schools and other bodies can ensure the computers they buy are not harmful to the environment.
The power of this requirement was amply demonstrated earlier this year when Apple was forced to reverse its plans to abandon the EPEAT qualification criteria, after government agencies announced they would stop buying Apple computers.
Green Business
The popularity of eco-friendly laptops and smartphones is also demonstrated in business, with companies including Aviva, Swisscom and Deutsche Bank named in the Top 10 Green Businesses of the Year thanks to their extensive use of eco-friendly products in and around their offices.
With all this in mind, it’s abundantly clear that eco-friendly technology products are becoming more and more popular across a whole range of sectors, and this growth shows no sign of slowing down in future.