How useful 02s Eco Rating Scheme for mobile phones proves to be remains to be seen. Apple’s failure to participate is unhelpful, but the scheme is progress in allowing consumers to make informed choices when taking green purchasing decisions.
Eco rating is principally based on the device’s Lifecycle Assessment. The biggest impact in a mobile phone’s lifecycle is during manufacturing. This is useful for consumers to know because it means that they may choose to use phones for longer if they know that this distributes the impact of manufacturing over a longer period and avoids the impact of producing and using a new device.
Probing product obsolescence and whether a device can be easily updated to extend its useful life form part of an eco rating assessment. Notwithstanding this, there is a growing trend towards holding onto phones anyway. Network providers have encouraged this by offering SIM-only deals on contract expiry. Whereas a 12 month contract was the norm until recently, 18 or 24 months is now commonplace.
Another factor is that smartphone technology development has plateaued and the imperative to continually upgrade is likely to lessen. What often happens is that keen upgraders pass their old phones onto family or friends who are less obsessed with having the very latest model and the life of the device is thus significantly extended. Another outlet for these phones is the burgeoning market for reuse in the developing world, where mobile phone use can bring with it social sustainability benefits. Whilst this is not a green light for constant upgrading, if good quality phones go to responsible reuse markets, they provide many further years of use at an economic price for consumers who would otherwise not have access to mobile phones.