Environmental issues such as ease of reuse and recycling are becoming more and more important to mobile phone users.
O2 have just launched the UK’s first rating system to make it easier for consumers to choose the most environmentally friendly handsets.
There are an estimated 4.1 billion mobile phones in use worldwide, with a combined carbon footprint of more than 100 million tonnes. According to research by O2, 1,712 mobile phones are replaced every minute in the UK.
44 per cent of consumers said that environmental factors now influence what mobile phone they chose to buy.
The eco rating’s scoring system uses data supplied by manufacturers. It looks at the overall environmental impact of the device over its lifespan: the raw materials contained; the impacts the manufacture of it has;
its packaging; its energy efficiency and longevity; and how easy it is to recycle or reuse it.
Ronan Dunne, chief executive of O2 in the UK said: “We know that sustainability is important for many of our customers and for the first time they will have the whole picture from which to make a full and balanced purchasing decision. Consumers are becoming increasingly aware of the social and environmental impact of the technology they buy and we believe this kind of product transparency will help empower them to make greener choices.”