Nokia scores maximum points for its comprehensive voluntary take-back programme, which spans 84 countries providing almost 5000 collection points for end-of-life mobile phones.
It now also scores top marks for the information it provides to customers on what to do with their discarded products. However, its recycling rate of 3-5% is very poor and more information is needed on how Nokia calculates these figures. It also needs to start using recycled plastics beyond just packaging.
Nokia scores very well on toxic chemical issues, launching new models free of PVC since the end of 2005 and aiming to have all new models free of all brominated and chlorinated compounds and antimony trioxide from the start of 2010.
Nokia’s score on energy remains the same. It scores full marks for committing to reduce absolute CO2 emissions by a minimum of 10% in 2009 and 18% in 2010, from a baseline year of 2006. It provides a third party verification certificate for its disclosed CO2 emissions.
Its score is boosted by sourcing 25% of its total energy needs from renewable sources in 2007 and by having a target to increase use of renewable energy to 50% by 2010. Top marks (doubled) are given for product energy efficiency as all but one of its mobile phone chargers exceed the Energy Star requirements by 30-90%
The ranking is important because the amount of toxic e-waste is growing everyday and it often ends up dumped in the developing world. Reducing the toxic chemicals in products reduces pollution from old products and makes recycling safer, easier and cheaper. Companies with good recycling schemes help ensure that their products don’t end up in the e-waste yards of Asia.
