U.S. Representatives Host Green Tech Innovation Briefing, Highlight EPEAT

Thursday, May 9th, 2013

U.S. Representatives Earl Blumenauer (OR-3) and Suzanne Bonamici (OR-1) hosted a Green Technology Innovation Briefing yesterday to update Congressional staff on the current status of environmental purchasing and standards for electronics. The briefing, held on Capitol Hill, featured a panel of experts representing manufacturers, the federal government, private purchasers and the Green Electronics Council.

The Green Technology Innovation Briefing highlighted the EPEAT® environmental rating system as a model for the design, development and procurement of greener electronics. The EPEAT system provides market incentives for product design, manufacturing and management that reduce toxic content and solid waste, decrease emissions and increase recyclability.

“There’s no denying the need to make sure the technologies we use to power our economy are meeting the highest standards in environmental friendliness,” said Congressman Blumenauer. “It is vital that we continue discussions like this in the future that bring government, industry, and environmental groups together. The EPEAT system is an excellent example of how manufacturers and purchasers can meet their electronics needs as well as their environmental goals at the same time.”

“The future of green technology hinges on finding innovative ways to achieve long-term environmental health while creating jobs and economic opportunity for our nation,” said Rep. Bonamici. “The EPEAT system illustrates an excellent way to achieve balance between the public and private sectors, between environmental goals and advanced technology, and between economic vitality and a high quality of life”

The Green Technology Innovation Briefing included the following panelists:

• Tanya Mottley, Director of the Pollution Prevention Division, U.S. EPA
• Dennis Amorosano, Senior Director of Solutions Marketing and Professional Services, Canon U.S.A., Inc.
• Josh Silverman, Director of the Office of Sustainability Support, U.S. Dept. of Energy
• Joel Sigler, Manager of National Environmental Health and Safety, Kaiser Permanente
• Robert Frisbee, CEO, Green Electronics Council

The panel was moderated by Chris O’Brien, Director of Sustainability at American University and former Director of the Responsible Purchasing Network.

PrinTree Becomes First EPEAT Imaging Equipment Channel Partner

Tuesday, May 7th, 2013

The Managed Print Services (MPS) market has a new resource to identify and procure environmentally preferable printing devices, as PrinTree and EPEAT® today announced PrinTree is the first EPEAT Channel Partner focused on Imaging Equipment. EPEAT, the definitive global rating system for greener electronics, launched an Imaging Equipment category in February.

The EPEAT registry includes print fleet imaging products such as printers, imaging and multi-function devices. To be added to the EPEAT registry, an imaging device must meet at least 33 required environmental performance criteria, including Energy Star compliance. Products may achieve higher ratings by meeting up to 26 additional optional criteria.

PrinTree, an independent MPS provider based in Los Angeles, combines print management expertise with access to products, support and services from major equipment manufacturers. Its clients avoid the upfront burdensome analysis and research of buying and managing print devices, particularly with their environmental sustainability goals top of mind.

As EPEAT’s first Imaging Equipment Channel Partner, PrinTree offers clients a transparent, independent and single-source avenue for acquiring the most environmentally preferable printing equipment. The partnership with EPEAT complements PrinTree’s existing print management Schedule 36 for its public sector clients.

“PrinTree values having environmental standards for high-performance electronics, and I applaud their commitment to promote imaging devices that meet those criteria,” said Robert Frisbee, EPEAT CEO. “I look forward to supporting PrinTree as they help their clients identify and purchase greener imaging equipment.”

EPEAT is a purchasing requirement for U.S. federal agencies and is integrated into hundreds of government, education, healthcare and enterprise IT contracts worldwide.

“We are honored to be the first EPEAT Channel Partner focused on Imaging Equipment,” said Aaron Collins, PrinTree CEO. “This EPEAT affiliation synergistically strengthens our multiple-brand, vendor-neutral value proposition to meet our clients’ needs.”

“Our print management solution, from day one, was designed to be a leader in environmental sustainability,” added Mary-Rose Nguyen, PrinTree COO. “Being EPEAT’s first Imaging Equipment Channel Partner validates our rigorous approach and agnostic advice that our clients highly value.”

EPEAT rates products on a lifecycle basis, addressing the elimination of toxic substances, the use of recycled and recyclable materials, their design for recycling, product longevity, energy efficiency, corporate performance and packaging, among other criteria. As with all environmental standards on which EPEAT ratings are based, the criteria for Imaging Equipment were developed during an extensive stakeholder consensus process that involved hundreds of representatives from the environmental, manufacturing, research, recycling and government sectors.

Over their lifetime, the 533 million EPEAT-registered electronics purchased globally since 2006 will deliver significant environmental benefits. Compared to products not meeting EPEAT criteria, these electronics will result in the reduction of more than 394,000 metric tons of hazardous waste, the elimination of enough mercury to fill 2.3 million fever thermometers, and will reduce solid waste by the equivalent of nearly 86,000 U.S. households’ annual waste. These lifecycle benefits and others are calculated using the Electronics Environmental Benefits Calculator, developed under a grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

PrinTree is an emerging leader in providing managed print services (MPS) to commercial and public sector clients. Its brand-neutral solution separates MPS strategies from hardware asset decisions. Advisory Services, Eco Services, and Performance Monitoring Services compliment the company’s Core MPS solution. Together, this synergistic suite is designed to help clients maximize their print fleet investment and manage their vendor supply chain. PrinTree is a privately held minority owned business located in Los Angeles, California.

HDTVs Meet Environmental Standards, Make EPEAT Debut

Tuesday, April 2nd, 2013

April 2, 2013 – EPEAT®, the definitive global registry for greener electronics, today expanded its product categories to include environmental ratings for televisions. This marks the first time a comprehensive standard has been available for governments, institutional purchasers and consumers to identify environmentally preferable televisions, including HDTVs and Smart TVs.

The EPEAT registry now includes registered televisions from LG Electronics and Samsung. These pioneering manufacturers together account for more than one-third of global TV shipments and revenues.

To be added to the EPEAT registry, a television must meet at least 24 required environmental performance criteria. Products may achieve higher ratings by meeting up to 29 additional optional criteria. The rating criteria were developed during a four-year consensus process that involved hundreds of representatives from the environmental, manufacturing, research, recycling and government sectors.

“I commend these pioneering manufacturers for exhibiting leadership and meeting EPEAT’s environmental standards,” said Robert Frisbee, EPEAT CEO. “Purchasers worldwide can now identify and procure great TV technology that’s environmentally preferable as well.”

Wayne Park, President and CEO of LG Electronics USA, said, “As a long-time EPEAT partner for computer monitors, we recognize the value of this important program in educating consumers about sustainable products. LG is proud to be among the first to meet EPEAT’s new TV criteria for listings on the definitive global registry for greener electronics.”

EPEAT rates products on a lifecycle basis, addressing the elimination of toxic substances, the use of recycled and recyclable materials, their design for recycling, product longevity, energy efficiency, corporate performance and packaging, among other attributes.

For more than six years, EPEAT ratings have helped companies, governments and consumers compare and purchase greener PCs and monitors, resulting in significant environmental benefits. In 2013, EPEAT’s product scope is expanding substantially. The addition of TVs comes less than two months after the registry expanded to include printers, copiers and other imaging equipment. Much as PCs, displays and imaging equipment have been added over the months and years, additional TVs will join the registry as they meet EPEAT’s environmental criteria.

“I’m proud that my district is home to this organization that is making such a difference, not just in the U.S., but around the world. The federal government is leading by example by embracing EPEAT standards for greener electronics, and I’m eager to see the positive impact of the expanded EPEAT registry,” said U.S. Representative Earl Blumenauer (D – Ore.). “EPEAT’s success shows that an incentive-based approach can move markets and that diverse stakeholders working together can be true catalysts for change.”

EPEAT’s original PC/Display rating system is used as an environmental requirement by eight national governments, including the United States, and thousands of purchasers worldwide. Purchase contracts that require EPEAT registration exceed $65 billion. More than 50 manufacturers have registered their greener PCs, monitors, copiers, printers, multifunction devices and now TVs in more than 40 countries. More than 533 million EPEAT-registered products have been purchased since the registry debuted in July 2006.

Since 2006, purchasers choosing EPEAT-registered electronics over products that don’t meet the system’s criteria have eliminated greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to 11 million U.S. vehicles’ annual impact, avoided more than 394,000 metric tons of hazardous waste and reduced solid waste by nearly 167,000 metric tons – equivalent to  nearly 86,000 U.S. households’ annual waste.

EPEAT TV Registry Launch in the News

• “Samsung, LG TVs Make EPEAT Debut” - Environmental Leader
• “LG TVs registered in new EPEAT environmental ratings” – The Financial
• “How Green are HDTVs?” – GreenTech Advocates

EPEAT Launches Worldwide Green Rating System for Printers, Copiers, Scanners

Tuesday, February 12th, 2013

February 12, 2013 — EPEAT®, the definitive global registry for greener electronics, announced today its expansion beyond PCs and Displays to include printers, copiers and other imaging equipment. The expansion was heralded by Congressional leaders, environmental groups, leading manufacturers and institutional purchasers at an event today in Washington DC. For more than six years, EPEAT ratings have helped companies, governments and consumers compare and purchase greener PCs and monitors, resulting in significant environmental benefits.

The EPEAT registry currently includes imaging equipment from seven manufacturers: Canon, Dell, Epson, HP, Lexmark, Ricoh and Xerox. Two additional manufacturers – Konica Minolta and Samsung – have begun the process of registering products with EPEAT. Combined, these nine manufacturers represent at least 80% of the global market for copiers, printers, scanners and multifunction devices. Devices will be continually added to the registry as they are deemed compliant with EPEAT’s environmental requirements.

“World markets will now be able to easily and reliably identify and purchase greener printers, copiers and scanners based on EPEAT ratings,” said Robert Frisbee, EPEAT CEO. “I applaud the leadership of everyone involved with achieving this important milestone.”

“I’m proud that my district is home to this organization that is making such a difference, not just in the U.S., but around the world. The federal government is leading by example by embracing EPEAT standards for greener electronics, and I’m eager to see the positive impact of the expanded EPEAT registry,” said U.S. Representative Earl Blumenauer. “EPEAT’s success shows that an incentive-based approach can move markets and that diverse stakeholders working together can be true catalysts for change.”

“EPEAT’s environmental impact standards serve a valuable role in the marketplace,” said U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, incoming Chairman of the Energy and Natural Resources Committee. “I commend those manufacturers that meet EPEAT’s stringent environmental ratings, and I’m proud to say that EPEAT calls Oregon home.”

To be added to the EPEAT registry, an imaging device must meet at least 33 required environmental performance criteria. Products may achieve higher ratings by meeting up to 26 additional optional criteria. The rating criteria were developed during a four-year stakeholder consensus process that involved hundreds of representatives from the environmental, research, governmental and manufacturing sectors.

EPEAT rates products on a lifecycle basis, addressing the elimination of toxic substances, the use of recycled and recyclable materials, their design for recycling, product longevity, energy efficiency, corporate performance and packaging, among other criteria.

“We are proud to be among the first imaging equipment providers to participate in the expansion of the EPEAT registry,” said Mario Rufino, Manager, Environmental Management & Product Safety, Canon U.S.A., Inc. “The new imaging equipment standard was developed to highlight leadership in sustainability. As Canon’s registered products are designed with this in mind, we welcome any effort that helps customers choose office technology solutions that help them reduce their own impact on the environment.”

“Customers are looking for simple ways to make comparisons between products and their environmental qualities. Dell helps its customers make those assessments easily through our commitment to a wide range of EPEAT product registrations (more than 200 currently) and the IEEE 1680 series of standards,” says Steve Lalla, Vice President End User Computing at Dell. “EPEAT-registered products are a global solution reflecting our own environmental sustainability principles and providing consistent, impartial guidance for our customers. The recent publication of the IEEE 1680.2 Imaging standard will continue the long-standing collaboration with Dell and EPEAT as we expand product registrations to include our line of imaging products.”

“Epson has been committed to the environment since 1988 when the company began pioneering the elimination of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) in its manufacturing processes,” said Colin Donahoe, director of business imaging for Epson America. “Our corporate values and environmental performance are in line with EPEAT standards, and Epson is working to ensure that over 90 percent of our printer and scanner lines meet a minimum of EPEAT Bronze level certification.”

“Increasingly, people want to purchase products that have strong environmental attributes, and EPEAT does a nice job of summarizing those attributes in PCs, monitors, and now printers, copiers and scanners,” said Judy Glazer, Senior Director of HP’s Printing and Personal Systems Social and Environmental Responsibility organization. “We support EPEAT and look forward to continuing strong participation in the program.”

“Lexmark strongly supports initiatives such as EPEAT that will help our customers make more informed choices about purchasing greener products, solutions and services,” said Marty Canning, Lexmark executive vice president and president of Imaging Solutions and Services. “Sustainability is core to Lexmark’s vision of positively impacting the communities where we live and work. Since Lexmark’s inception and the formation of its vision and values, our company has assumed responsibility for its actions associated with ecological impacts and worked diligently to remain an exemplary environmental steward around the world.”

“At Ricoh, we have focused on being a leader of environmental sustainability for the entire product life cycle, which is core to our global business operations. Furthermore, we strongly believe that the EPEAT Imaging Equipment Program is essential to helping purchasers make informed decisions,” said Jay Dizzine, Vice President, Technology Marketing, Ricoh Americas Corporation. “By engaging in EPEAT, Ricoh is further enhancing its complete portfolio of products and services to better manage and reduce environmental impact and cost, while improving productivity for our customers and creating shared value for our society.”

“At Xerox, sustainability is our way of doing business, so when given the opportunity to help customers make informed decisions on selecting environmentally preferable products, we were onboard. Our current EPEAT registered products include multifunction printers and stand-alone printers that help businesses simplify how work gets done while producing less waste and using less energy,” said Diane O’Connor, vice president, Environment, Health, Safety and Sustainability, Xerox.

“As a broad-based technology distributor with deep relationships in the IT channel, we are excited about this new EPEAT registry that offers our customers greener printer and copier choices,” said Kirk Robinson, senior vice president, commercial markets and global accounts, Ingram Micro North America. “Our public sector team will ensure that our resellers have access to the right solutions for technology users in government, healthcare and education markets.”

EPEAT’s original PC/Display rating system is used as an environmental requirement by eight national governments, including the United States, and thousands of purchasers worldwide. Purchase contracts that require EPEAT registration exceed $65 billion. More than 50 manufacturers have registered their greener PCs, monitors, copiers, printers and scanners in more than 40 countries. More than 533 million EPEAT-registered products have been purchased since the original registry debuted in July 2006.

Since 2006, purchasers choosing EPEAT-registered electronics over products that don’t meet the system’s criteria have eliminated greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to 11 million U.S. vehicles’ annual impact, avoided more than 394,000 metric tons of hazardous waste and reduced solid waste by nearly 167,000 metric tons – equivalent to  nearly 86,000 U.S. households’ annual waste.