Look around a bit and you will agree: green is the new black and everybody wants to sport it. With good reason. As ecoconservation becomes the buzz word in almost every arena, from fuel to clothing to furniture to consumer durables, manufacturers and consumers alike are keen to leave as small a carbon footprint as possible. One sector that is striving hard to keep pace with this trend is the electronics industry. White goods giants are churning out products that are not only eco-friendly but also technologically advanced.
Across the board, companies, distributors and suppliers are trying to adopt environment-related responsibilities.
Friday meets a few industry professionals who are a part of this shift and brings you products that are doing their bit for the environment.
When asked about the trends he sees emerging for eco-friendly products Deepak Babani, CEO of Eros Group, says, "Eros aligns itself with internationally recognised brands that always adhere to the highest standards of eco-friendliness and sustainability, both in terms of products and business operations. We adopt eco-friendly standards in operations, warehousing and even CSR activities. Many of the products we offer are energy saving, eco-friendly and increasingly so.
"More countries across the world, the UAE included, are realising the importance of saving energy as a means of achieving many environmental objectives, including reducing reliance on fossil fuels, reducing carbon footprints, and improving sustainability. In the near future this particular trend of active legislation in the eco-friendly field will continue, and more products will become ‘greener'.''
Another company that believes in this ethos is Siemens, and with its new Gigaset it offers consumers a good choice. Says Shahzad Ahmad, director, Gigaset Communications, "At Gigaset we have always placed great importance on the environment and sustainability. We actively encourage all our suppliers to adopt environmentally friendly practices, particularly in relation to reducing energy consumption."
Aware of the growing trend of eco-consciousness, Vishesh Bhatia, group director, electronics, engineering, technologies & watches, Al-Futtaim, says, "Although kicking our carbon habit within a few short decades will require a feat of engineering and innovation, consumers today are more knowledgeable about environmental issues. Their sophistication and market consciousness has forced retailers and manufacturers of appliances and CE products to respect their wishes.
"Many shoppers in our Plug-ins Electronix stores have begun to gladly choose an environmentally improved appliance or consumer electronics product over its conventional counterpart not only because of the long-term economic benefits, but also to be part of the global agenda reiterated at the recent Copenhagen summit.
"Being environmentally conscious is no more a fashion statement. It is now serious business and I think of it as a duty for all to make our own contribution towards protecting the environment. One of the better ways of doing so is to adopt the use of eco-friendly energy-saving appliances.
"How can you do that in your homes? By replacing old incandescent bulbs with energy efficient bulbs. In fact, progressively replace all appliances and electronic devices with newer and more energy-efficient ones. The aim should be to save money, energy and water in the long run. Make the smart choice. Educate yourself about the environment and how you can contribute to doing your bit for the world."
Anamika Priyadarshi, Retail and marketing manager, Betterlife, shares the same sentiment as the others regarding eco-friendly products. "We see a growing trend for eco-friendly electronics the world over. As a responsible organisation we share the same sentiment and try to bring in as many eco-friendly products as possible."
