What Does ‘Green Electronics’ Mean?

September 1, 2015

September 1, 2015


Today’s blog is brought to you by the team at Electronics Recyclers International. It was originally posted on their blog on August 13, 2015.


The explosion in the tech world over the past two decades or so has resulted in the majority of Americans now owning smartphones, among other devices, with newer and fancier electronics seemingly appearing on the market every few months. Unsurprisingly, as a result, the number of unwanted electric items is growing at a rapid rate. 


With this huge amount of devices being produced and discarded, a new environmental issue has appeared. “E-waste,” or old electronics that are either broken or unwanted, are beginning to fill up landfills at an alarming rate. These electric devices often contain hazardous materials that can endanger the environment and local communities, even getting into the air. 


While many recyclers, such as ERI, have developed systems to responsibly process e-waste, there has also been growing pressure on tech manufacturers to build “greener electronics.” But what does that really mean?


Using sustainable materials and manufacturing


The idea of “green electronics” in part refers to the materials used in the production of computers, cell phones, televisions and dozens of other electric devices. For example, the plastic we see on all of those cable cords is often burned off in order to reach the valuable copper within, releasing dangerous chemicals into the air during the process. This can lead to the development of acid rain and further environmental damage. 


While it may be cheaper to use more toxic materials when building devices, electronics manufacturers are being urged to invest in eco-friendlier materials.


Energy use and carbon emissions


Another important component of creating greener electronics is lowering the amount of energy used and carbon emissions released during the entire production process, from the gathering of materials to the shipping vessels used to transport them to stores. Think about how far that iPhone had to travel to get your hands – and what went into making it. The majority of electronics are manufactured overseas, where carbon emission and labor laws are vastly different than in the United States.


How government is assisting in the fight for green electronics?


Luckily, due to the increased realization for a need of sustainable devices, the Green Electronics Council (GEC) was formed in 2005. The group offers different certification – Gold, Silver and Bronze - levels for companies that offer green devices. GEC utilizes a specially developed assessment tool to rate electronics called the Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool (EPEAT). The system evaluates items on more than 50 different criteria to measure an item’s sustainability and overall efficiency. Greenpeace offers a similar ranking system which also focuses on the energy used during device production, called the Guide to Greener Electronics

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has also implemented programs and introduced new regulations in terms of sustainability throughout the technology market and within the government itself. Through interactive experiences with businesses, the EPA is promoting what’s called product stewardship – a product-centered approach to environmental protection. The EPA is encouraging manufacturers, retailers and e-waste processing companies to work together in order to create a worldwide green electronics initiative. By giving businesses and manufacturers the information and incentives to become sustainable, the initiative has grown. The EPA’s website features examples of how certain companies are changing their ways into order to meet this goal. 

What can consumers do?


A world filled with green electronics is a team effort. Not only do companies need to develop and provide more sustainable devices, but consumers need to purchase them as well. Look for energy efficient devices and appliances by checking the EPEAT rating for sustainability. When getting rid of old devices, ensure they are being processed by a responsible recycling facility (every town has different resources). 


By working together, consumers, manufacturers and the federal government can properly promote the development and use of greener electronics with the overall goal of a cleaner and safer planet for us all.

Electronic Recyclers International (ERI), the nation’s leading recycler of electronic waste and the world's largest cybersecurity-focused hardware destruction company, is e-Stewards and R2 certified to de-manufacture and recycle every type of electronic waste in an environmentally friendly manner. ERI processes more than 275 million pounds of electronic waste annually at eight locations, serving every zip code in the United States. For more information about e-waste recycling and ERI, call 1-800-ERI-DIRECT or visit www.electronicrecyclers.com.


NERC welcomes Guest Blog submissions. To inquire about submitting articles contact Megan Schulz-Fontes, Projects Manager. Disclaimer: Guest blogs represent the opinion of the writers and may not reflect the policy or position of the Northeast Recycling Council, Inc.

Share Post

August 29, 2025
Northeast Recycling Council (NERC) Publishes 25 th Report Marking Six Years of Quarterly Data
By Recycled Materials Association July 29, 2025
The Northeast Recycling Council (NERC) has opened the 2025 Emerging Professionals (EP) Program . Now, in its third year, the program provides professionals who are new to the field of recycling, sustainability, and environmental stewardship with discounted access to NERC’s Conference and Foundations Course, sponsored by their employer organization. EPs gain valuable connections with seasoned industry professionals and peers while engaging in discussions on current trends, challenges, and innovations shaping the industry. This program is designed for those with three or fewer years of experience. “This year, EPs also receive a discount to our Foundations of Sustainable Materials Management course (a live, instructor-led training) developed to provide the key building blocks for understanding the industry,” said Mariane Medeiros, Senior Project Manager at NERC. “It’s a great way to close the loop: gaining both a strong technical foundation and real-world connections in one experience.” Read and Learn More.
By Chaz Miller June 30, 2025
Recycling coordinators know that some people and locations are stubbornly indifferent to recycling. COVID has ruptured civic values and behavior. Creating a recycling culture is harder than ever. Producers know how to sell their products. Now they need to learn how to sell recycling. On July 1, Oregon’s packaging and paper extended producer responsibility (EPR) program begins operating. This will be a first in our country. “Producers”, instead of local governments or private citizens, will be paying to recycle packages and paper products. Colorado’s program begins operating early in 2026. For years we have heard the theory of how packaging EPR will work. At last, we will get results. Five other states also have laws. Their programs should all be operating by 2030. None of the state laws have identical requirements. The Circular Action Alliance, the “producer responsibility organization” responsible for managing the program in most of those states, knows it has a lot on its plate. EPR laws are not new to the U.S. Thirty-two states already have laws that cover a wide variety of products such as electronics, paint, mattresses, batteries, etc. Those laws are relatively simple. Most cover one product. The producer group is a small number of companies. Goals and programs are focused and narrow. They are a mixed bag of success and failure. Packaging EPR is far more complex. The number of covered products is way higher. Thousands of companies are paying for these programs. Goals are challenging. Some are impossible to meet. In addition, local governments treat recycling as a normal service. Their residents will still call them if their recyclables aren’t picked up. It probably hasn’t helped that advocates tout EPR as the solution for recycling’s problems. We are told we will have more collection and better processing with higher recycling rates. Markets will improve and even stabilize. Some of this will happen, but not all. Collection and processing should go smoothly in Oregon. The state has high expectations for recycling. I have no doubt recycling will increase. Collection programs will blanket the state, giving more households the opportunity to recycle. I’m not sure, though, how much of an increase we will see. Recycling coordinators know that some people and locations are stubbornly indifferent to recycling. COVID has ruptured civic values and behavior. Creating a recycling culture is harder than ever. Producers know how to sell their products. Now they need to learn how to sell recycling. Another challenge is the “responsible end market” requirements. You’ve probably seen pictures of overseas dumps created by unscrupulous or just naïve plastics “recyclers”. In response, Oregon and the other states are requiring sellers and end markets to prove they are “responsible”. They must provide information about who and where they are, how they operate, how much was actually recycled, and more. Recycling end markets pushed back. Paper and metals recyclers argue they shouldn’t be covered. They don’t cause those problems. As for plastics, the general manager of one of America’s largest plastics recycling companies said his company now spends time and money gathering data and filling out forms to prove they’re “responsible”. His virgin resin competitors don’t have to. Ironically, we now import more plastics for recycling than we export. Maybe those countries should impose similar requirements on their plastics recyclers. Colorado faces unique problems. The mountain state is large. Its population is concentrated on the I-25 corridor running north and south through Denver with low population density elsewhere. Recycling collection and processing is limited as are end markets. To make matters worse, slightly more than half of its households use “subscription” services for waste and recycling collection. Those services are funded by the households, not by taxpayers. EPR doesn’t have this experience in other countries. Colorado gets to blaze this trail. The second state to go live poses substantive challenges for producers. The good news for both states? Local governments that pay for recycling collection and processing will see most of those costs go away. Consumers are unlikely to see prices rise, for now. National companies will simply spread their costs among all 50 states. Local and regional producers, unfortunately, don’t have that advantage. As for improved markets, remember that recyclables are and always will be commodities subject to the ups and downs of the economy. I don’t see substantive changes in recycling markets unless the producer group’s members try to manipulate markets to their own advantage. 2025 saw new laws and changes to existing laws. Maryland and Washington became the sixth and seventh packaging EPR states. At the same time, California is rewriting its regulations and Maine significantly revised its law. Some of these changes narrowed EPR’s scope to the dismay of advocates. I’m a member of Maryland’s EPR Advisory Council. We’ve been meeting for a year, discussing the Needs Assessment and now our new law. We have our own unique set of challenges. We also have a big advantage. We can learn from Oregon’s and Colorado’s experiences. Tune in next year to learn how we are progressing. Read on Waste360.