AT&T Launches New Eco-Rating Program To Promote Sustainability
You've heard of Energy Star, sure, but it's not often that a wireless operator takes time from its busy life to support eco-friendly anything. We've heard of companies like Apple and Dell offering recycling programs, but AT&T is actually launching a new "Eco-rating" system that'll appear in stores. Why? In order to inform consumers on how eco-friendly a product is or isn't. It's a bold move, for sure, as starting today consumers will see a simple label on all new AT&T-branded postpaid mobile devices. In addition to these new devices, 13 more from the existing portfolio will also be designated with an eco-rating. Here's a bit about the rating straight from the carrier's mouth:
"The eco-rating system assesses 15 specific criteria drawn from five general categories of sustainability attributes - attributes include the usage of environmentally preferable materials, minimization of hazardous substances, energy efficiency, responsible end-of-life treatment and environmentally-responsible manufacturing. Device manufacturers submit an assessment of which of the 15 criteria the device meets. AT&T reviews this report and confirms the data reported. These criteria are then calculated into AT&T's five-star system, with five stars being the highest. The 15 specific criteria include, for example, the percentage of post-consumer plastic used in the device, restriction of compounds such as lead, cadmium, mercury, nickel and antimony trioxide/antimony compounds and product energy efficient features."
