After five years in existence, the Electronic Products Environmental Assessment Tool (EPEAT) database now includes 2,830 registered products — more than double the number covered just one year ago. During 2010, there were 54 participating manufacturers, compared with three at the launch in July 2006.
EPEAT gauges the green credentials of technologies including notebook computers, desktop, displays and integrated “all-in-one” systems. Criteria considered by the rating system includes materials selection, energy consumption, and the recycling or reuse framework that will support the product at the end of its useful life.
The organization’s 2010 Environmental Benefits Report estimates that during 2010, more than 93 million EPEAT-registered products were sold. Those products have helped reduced the use of toxic materials by more than 1,156 metric tons (or about 192 elephants), according to EPEAT. The products also use considerable less materials than previous generations and some comparable products: about 15.7 million metric tons less (or about 48 Empire State buildings).
The energy savings attributable to those products over their lifetime will be around 9 billion kilowatt-hours, or enough electricity to keep the lights, heat and other appliances on in 757,416 homes for a year.
“We expect the remarkable environmental benefit of EPEAT will continue to grow as we expand the registration capacity of the system,” said Jeff Omelchuck, EPEAT Executive Director.
Next up for the EPEAT database are imaging technologies and televisions.
