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Life Cycle Assessment of a Virtual Reality Device

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  • Anders S. G. Andrae

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

Abstract

Virtual reality (VR) is one of the strongest trends for future communication systems. Considering the amounts of VR devices expected to be produced in the coming years, it is relevant to estimate their potential environmental impacts under certain conditions. For the first time, screening life cycle assessment (LCA) single score results are presented for a contemporary VR headset. The weighted results are dependent much on the source of the gold and the electric power used in production. Theoretically, using recycled gold for the VR subparts would be very beneficial seen from an environmental damage cost standpoint. Using low environmental impact electric power in the final assembly of the VR headset, in the final assembly of integrated circuits, and in the preceding wafer processing would also be worthwhile. Distribution of the final product is more pronounced than for other consumer electronics.

Suggested Citation

  • Anders S. G. Andrae, 2017. "Life Cycle Assessment of a Virtual Reality Device," Challenges, MDPI, vol. 8(2), pages 1-11, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jchals:v:8:y:2017:i:2:p:15-:d:104058
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Webb, A. & Mayers, K. & France, C. & Koomey, J., 2013. "Estimating the energy use of high definition games consoles," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 61(C), pages 1412-1421.
    2. Anders S. G. Andrae & Mikko Samuli Vaija, 2014. "To Which Degree Does Sector Specific Standardization Make Life Cycle Assessments Comparable?—The Case of Global Warming Potential of Smartphones," Challenges, MDPI, vol. 5(2), pages 1-21, November.
    3. Richard Wood & Konstantin Stadler & Tatyana Bulavskaya & Stephan Lutter & Stefan Giljum & Arjan De Koning & Jeroen Kuenen & Helmut Schütz & José Acosta-Fernández & Arkaitz Usubiaga & Moana Simas & Olg, 2014. "Global Sustainability Accounting—Developing EXIOBASE for Multi-Regional Footprint Analysis," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 7(1), pages 1-26, December.
    4. Anders S. G. Andrae & Tomas Edler, 2015. "On Global Electricity Usage of Communication Technology: Trends to 2030," Challenges, MDPI, vol. 6(1), pages 1-41, April.
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    Cited by:

    1. 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.
    2. Maddalena Honorati & Sara Johansson de Silva & Natalia Millan & Florentin Kerschbaumer, 2019. "Work for a Better Future in Armenia," World Bank Publications - Reports 34412, The World Bank Group.

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