Reducing the carbon footprint of ICT products through material efficiency strategies: A life cycle analysis of smartphones

With the support of a life cycle assessment model, this study estimates carbon footprint (CF) smartphones and costs (LCC) for consumers in scenarios where different material efficiency strategies are implemented Europe. Results show that major contribution to CF is due extraction processing materials following manufacturing parts: 10.7 kg CO2,eq/year, when assuming biennial replacement cycle. Printed wiring board, display assembly, integrated circuits make 75% impacts from materials. The increased by assembly (+2.7 CO2,eq/year), distribution (+1.9 recharging device CO2,eq/year) decreased end recycling (?0.8 CO2,eq/year). However, can dramatically increase energy consumed communication services counted (+26.4 LCC vary significantly (235–622 EUR/year). service contract particular be decisive cost factor (up 61–85% LCC). It was calculated 1:1 displacement new used devices could decrease 52–79% (excluding services) 5–16%. An extension 2 3 years 23–30% 4–10%, depending on whether repair operations required. Measures implementing such presented results help inform decision-makers about how reduce associated with smartphones.