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Practical Eco-Design and Eco-Innovation of Consumer Electronics—the Case of Mobile Phones

Author

Listed:
  • Anders S. G. Andrae

    (Huawei Technologies Sweden AB, Skalholtsgatan 9, 16494 Kista, Sweden)

  • Mengjun Xia

    (Huawei Device CO., Ltd., 10F, BldgA, Huawei Technologies Cloud Park, Xuegang Road No. 2018, Bantian, Longgang, Shenzhen 518129, China)

  • Jianli Zhang

    (Huawei Device CO., Ltd., 10F, BldgA, Huawei Technologies Cloud Park, Xuegang Road No. 2018, Bantian, Longgang, Shenzhen 518129, China)

  • Xiaoming Tang

    (Huawei Device CO., Ltd., 10F, BldgA, Huawei Technologies Cloud Park, Xuegang Road No. 2018, Bantian, Longgang, Shenzhen 518129, China)

Abstract

Annually, it is estimated that about 4 billion units of consumer electronics for mobile communications are produced worldwide. This could lead to various ecological imbalances unless the design and disposal of the products are handled optimally. To illustrate how industry looks at and responds to the increasing social awareness, this article describes how sustainability is successfully implemented in practice at a large Chinese company, developing and producing various kinds of electronic products used for communication. It also describes how a variety of eco-innovations and business models contribute to reducing the environmental impact; for example, through increased recovery and recycling. A new kind of eco-design procedure is presented along with a new methodology which shows how a mobile phone gradually becomes more sustainable from one generation to the next. The issues with and set-up of new eco-labeling schemes for mobile phones, eco-rating, is described in detail. The conclusion is that due to high competition between companies, the industry acts resourcefully and a lot is done to the save the ecological environment.

Suggested Citation

  • Anders S. G. Andrae & Mengjun Xia & Jianli Zhang & Xiaoming Tang, 2016. "Practical Eco-Design and Eco-Innovation of Consumer Electronics—the Case of Mobile Phones," Challenges, MDPI, vol. 7(1), pages 1-19, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jchals:v:7:y:2016:i:1:p:3-:d:63786
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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    Cited by:

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    3. Hsin Rau & Mary Deanne M. Lagapa & Po-Hsun Chen, 2021. "Anticipatory Non-Green-Phenomena Determination for Designing Eco-Design Products," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(2), pages 1-16, January.
    4. José Eduardo Galve & Daniel Elduque & Carmelo Pina & Carlos Javierre, 2016. "Sustainable Supply Chain Management: The Influence of Disposal Scenarios on the Environmental Impact of a 2400 L Waste Container," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 8(6), pages 1-12, June.
    5. Anders S. G. Andrae & Mikko Samuli Vaija, 2017. "Precision of a Streamlined Life Cycle Assessment Approach Used in Eco-Rating of Mobile Phones," Challenges, MDPI, vol. 8(2), pages 1-24, August.
    6. Nicolas Haber & Mario Fargnoli, 2021. "Sustainable Product-Service Systems Customization: A Case Study Research in the Medical Equipment Sector," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(12), pages 1-20, June.

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