Lack of smartphone sustainability in Switzerland hits environment

Almost half of all Swiss citizens hang on to their old smartphones, tablets and laptops, according to the Federal Statistical Office (FSO). Sustainability in the digital sector is thus still in its infancy. Between 66% and 80% of the digital sector’s carbon footprint comes from consumer devices, the FSO wrote on Monday in a report on ICT (information and communication technology) equipment and sustainability. In Switzerland, 8.2% of electricity consumption is attributed to the entertainment, information and communication media sector. When buying and disposing of smartphones, tablets and laptops, more attention should be paid to sustainability, it said. Most of the carbon footprint is generated during the manufacture of the devices, not during their period of use. In the case of smartphones, manufacturing is responsible for at least 80% of the total carbon footprint. + Swiss demand more sustainability from companies and the state The footprint of smartphones is also particularly ...