Electronics Companies Go Green

Companies that want to benefit worldwide sustainability and go green are rapidly becoming the most popular, so who wouldn’t want to jump on this growing movement?  Even corporate giants like Wal-Mart and GE are trying, but they don’t always meet the specific guidelines.  But electronics companies, namely those associated with cameras and their related equipment, are quick to be involved in the green movement.  They are closely monitored by the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive, “which aims to both reduce the amount of electrical and electronic equipment being produced and encourage everyone to reuse, recycle and recover it,” according to “Digital Photographer” magazine.

One of the larger companies quickly earning brownie points for their numerous environmental programs and conservation is Epson, who “has worked very hard to balance cutting-edge technology with environmental responsibility.”  Epson has kept environmental programs among its key management concerns since they started in 1942.  100 percent of the ink cartridges sent to Epson are recycled and reused, and they have reduced their packaging by using 100 percent recycled paper and standardizing (taking the number of 152 different types of packing down to just 3 worldwide). Their Environmental Vision 2050 has goals of reducing CO2 emissions by 90 percent across their entire production line, recycling measures and biodiversity restoration.  Epson still manages to bring in a nice profit while benefiting the environment and encouraging their customers to go green and recycle all Epson products responsibly.

Olympus, along with other camera companies, is putting out eco-friendly products, including cameras, microscopes and endoscopes that are energy-efficient and feature compact designs that use few natural resources, also allowing for a lower possibility of pollutants.  You’ll know if you’ve purchased anything from this eco-friendly line because it will be stamped with a green leaf.  And besides, being a digital photographer is considered to be green and low-impact on the environment anyway.  Just make sure you use rechargeable batteries, recycle ink cartridges, keep your location spots for shots just like you found them and don’t forget to look for eco-friendly photo paper and camera bags.

However, other electronics companies are lagging behind, at least according to Greenpeace’s Guide to Greener Electronics (check this website out!).  Based on a ranking of 18 firms, Apple, Samsung and Microsoft were discovered to be “lagging” based on energy criteria.  And based on studies, these companies would draw even more female customers by going green, which could double their profits!  Going green is definitely the new black.  Let’s just hope electronics companies can follow Epson’s lead by learning how to balance innovation and preservation.

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Ashley Strickland is a senior majoring in journalism at the University of Georgia.  She is proud to be an aspiring photojournalist with her lovely Canon DSLR camera.