Mobile Phone Case Study Evaluation of Reductions in Equivalent CO2 Emissions of Mobile Phones Marketed as 'Eco-Friendly' Versus Mobile Phones Not Marketed as ‘Eco-Friendly’
by Kimi Ceridon kceridon@kalepa-tech.com
Abstract Consumers purchase ‘eco-friendly’ products with the understanding these products reduce their personal ecological impact. This case study utilizes a screening Life Cycle Assessment tool to evaluate the effectiveness of some of the commonly employed ‘eco-friendly’ design strategies. Although this assessment is limited in scope, according to the results, ‘eco-friendly’ mobile phones offer reductions in various ecological impact categories. A fraction of aggregated ecological impacts is climate change as measured by equivalent CO 2 emissions. While ‘eco-friendly’ practices reduce aggregated ecological impacts, they are not significantly reducing equivalent CO2 emissions relative to mobile phones not marketed as ‘eco-friendly’. This assessment reveals that greater reductions in equivalent CO2 emissions can be achieved by focusing specifically on reductions in the energy consumption of the mobile phones. From a survey of literature, other studies indicate the issue is more complex. This suggests an expanded evaluation using a comprehensive Life Cycle Assessment tool should be completed on the significant findings of this study.