Greentech Lead America: Sprint, in its recently released whitepaper, says its sustainability initiatives have brought a 55 percent reduction in the environmental effect of Sprint-branded device packaging since 2009.
The paper, The Evolution of Greener Device Packaging at Sprint, says that compared to the first-generation “black box” style used in 2009, Sprint’s current packaging by Deutsch Design Works is 60 percent smaller in volume and 50 percent lighter in weight.
Besides lowering material use and costs, this change means more devices fit onto each loading palette, significantly reducing the number of plane flights and truck runs necessary to move them.
Today, all Sprint-branded packaging is 100 percent recyclable, and boxes are made from unbleached kraft paper, using a minimum of 30 percent post-consumer recycled material. Packaging is printed with soy inks and uses eco-friendly adhesives and aqueous coatings.
“Careful, innovation-driven design and production choices have enabled a 55 percent reduction in the environmental effect of Sprint-branded device packaging since 2009,” said Mark Rexroat director of retail communications & marketing services at Sprint. “This industry-leading makeover left no stone unturned; we reworked everything from raw materials to inks to adhesives.”
The LCA studied all aspects of Sprint-branded device packaging, beginning with the extraction of raw materials, through manufacture, transport, usage and end of life.
The research examined five categories (climate change, human health, ecosystem quality, resources depletion and water withdrawal) and found that a series of changes both big and small have led to significant environmental reductions.
By addressing concerns from petroleum-based inks to printed user guides (which are now available online), Sprint has successfully addressed an area that, until now, has largely been ignored within the telecommunications industry, the study said.
According to the study for each million devices produced, the greening of Sprint packaging currently saves 2,100 metric tons of carbon dioxide, 8,800 megawatt hours of energy, and 8,900 kilogallons of water – enough to fill 68 million half-liter plastic water bottles
Sprint has also been named No. 3 in the United States by Newsweek’s annual Green Rankings of the 500 greenest companies. Last month, global consulting and analyst firm Frost and Sullivan recognized Sprint as the 2012 North American Award for Green Excellence.
Recently Sprint was ranked no.1 in the U.S. and no.13 globally in the 2013 Environmental Tracking (ET) Carbon Rankings from Environmental Investment Organization (EIO).