Computer maker Lenovo (O992.HK) has become the first company to earn a Gold rating for the laptop category in UL Environment’s new Sustainable Product Certification (SPC) for high tech equipment, the company announced.
Gold is the highest of three SPC designations.
The laptop, called the ThinkPad T420 laptop, will be introduced later this month.
The computer exceeds ENERGY STAR 5.0 requirements by 10%. It
also contains post consumer recycled content (PCC). Lenovo did not
disclose how much PCC, but said that other upcoming models will contain
more than 10% PCC, while the company's ThinkCentre desktops and
ThinkVision monitors use an average of 65% PCC.
In order to determine compliance with the IEEE 1680 sustainability standard, UL Environment assessed product documentation and records, physically examined product samples, independently tested the product for compliance to ENERGY STAR® 5.0 requirements and conducted onsite audits of manufacturing facilities. UL Environment-certified environmental criteria include the elimination or reduction of certain hazardous substances that pose threats to human health and the environment.
Additionally, Lenovo has begun to measure the carbon footprint of some products, like the ThinkVision L1951p. More than 50 Think-branded products, like the T420, are certified to meet other eco-labels including Nordic Swan and Electronics Product Environmental Assessment Tool (EPEAT) Gold rating.
Lenovo also uses 100% recyclable and recycled product packaging.
