5 of the most sustainable tech companies
In an increasingly environmentally conscious world, does your favourite company stack up as one of the best producers of sustainable tech?
With news that the new Samsung Galaxy S22 will contain recycled plastic from discarded fishing nets, you may have found yourself nervously eyeing the tech around your house and wondering just how green it is.
If trends continue, the information and communication technology sector will constitute 15% of global emissions. Non-renewable resources are found in many of our favourite gadgets and technotrash is the world's fastest-growing form of waste.
Thankfully, many of the world's biggest tech companies are doing their part to create a more sustainable future for the sector. Here are 5 of the best, as well as links to find some of their greenest products.
According to the US's Environmental Protection Agency, Google's parent company Alphabet uses the highest amount of green power among all corporations it tracks. Its percentage of power derived from green sources sits at a whopping 106%, thanks to its extensive purchases of green power credits.
Google has worked to rid its products, such as the ultra-popular Chromecast, of unsustainable materials including polyvinyl chloride and brominated flame retardants. By 2025, 50% of the plastic in its consumer technology will be from recycled materials.
Additionally, it has committed to replenish 120% of its water consumption by 2030.
See Finder's review of the Google Chromecast or head straight to Amazon to get it for 10% off.
Apple
By many measures, Apple is leading the way for sustainable tech. It has affirmed that as a company, it is carbon neutral, and by 2030 all of its products will be too. Many of its products contain tremendous amounts of recycled materials, including 40% of the MacBook Air and 99% recycled tungsten in the iPhone 12 and Apple Watch Series 6.
Apple's packaging is also industry-leading in lack of waste produced. And the increased battery life you've been loving on your latest Apple products? The environment has been loving it too.
One of Apple's greatest contributions to sustainable tech has been the pressure it has placed on other companies to do their part. Using its powerful position as one of the most popular brands in the world, it has successfully encouraged over 100 suppliers to join it in going carbon neutral.
Check out Finder's review of the iPhone 12 or buy it on Amazon for $200 off.
Samsung
Since 2019, Samsung has been using recycled and sustainably sourced packaging. In the USA, Europe and China it operates with 100% renewable energy. So far, it has reduced its greenhouse gas emissions by 301 million tonnes.
The Galaxy S22's use of fishing net plastic is the latest in a long line of steps taken by the company to produce more sustainable tech. Samsung's aim to extend its products' lifespans has benefits for both the environment and the consumer. It reached a 95% resource recycling rate in 2020.
Check out all the latest on the S22 here and get $50 off at Amazon with the code FINDER50. (The deal also includes a free Echo Show 8 (2nd Gen) and a Samsung gift pack valued at up to $337.)
HP
Like many other companies on this list, HP is committed to the use of 100% renewable energy. It also boasts that almost 3 million pounds of ocean-bound plastic has been diverted and used in HP products. HP aims to achieve carbon neutrality and zero-waste certification by 2025.
And HP doesn't slack off when it comes to its non-tech products. It reached its goal of zero deforestation for HP paper 2 years ahead of schedule, cementing itself as a truly well-rounded, sustainable company.
Leading the way for HP's most sustainable products is the Chromebook X2 11, which is certified by the EPA's Energy Star program. It contains ocean-bound and post-consumer plastic.
Check out Finder's review of the Chromebook X2 11 or shop HP products on Amazon.
Dell
Dell manages to keep 90% of its waste from heading to landfills and has used over 45 million kilograms of recycled plastic in its products. It is well on the way to its aim of net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.
Dell is also leading the way for sustainable tech in terms of water usage, making huge strides in reducing water discharge and increasing freshwater saved.
Significantly, Dell has mapped its sustainability goals with those of the United Nations, meaning there's no concern it's going easy on itself.
The Dell XPS 13 2-in-1 shows off Dell's sustainable tech philosophy with sustainable packaging, while the laptop itself is 90% recyclable.
Read Finder's XPS 13 review here or buy it from Kogan.
Want to find out more about becoming an ethical and sustainable consumer? Finder Green has you covered.