ARTICLES

Go Green, Repair & Refurbishment Can Save Cash & the Environment

Consumer electronics manufacturers are ideal candidates for green initiatives because of high volumes and large-scale consumer proliferation. Approximately 372.7 million consumer electronic units (such as televisions, computer products and cell phones) were generated in 2006-2007. Of those, 304.2 million units were disposed of and only 68.5 million units recycled. Various computer components are banned from landfills, including circuit boards with high lead content. The computer components representing the largest problem are the cathode ray tubes (CRTs) in computer monitors. To cut down haphazard disposal, consumers can be encouraged to return the products to the manufacturer. Manufacturers then can screen and test products for their viability, and decide the fate of such products. Reverse logistics can play a very large role here, wherein, third-party service providers, can offer to test, repair or refurbish used products, which can then be re-introduced in the market as discounted items.

As a part of 'Parts Recovery', useable components and power cords can be retrieved from damaged and obsolete products, to be re-used by either service or production teams. Refurbishing is also an excellent opportunity for manufacturers, where cosmetic upgradations to a product, can make it appear new, and then re-introduce such products into the supply chain, thereby generating revenue for the manufacturer. In addition to keeping electronics out of landfills to protect the environment, companies can discover that recycling and reuse offers additional benefits. Valuable resources (e.g., precious metals, plastics, glass) can be extracted and reused. Manufacturers can also realize the benefit of fostering brand loyalty and improving relationships with increasingly environmentally conscious customers, as well.

Reverse logistics with efficient repair, and refurbishment processes can generate value from any product, that has returned defective or reached end-of-life. Manfacturers can benefit by deriving economic benefit and at the same time, play their 'green' role to save our environment and our planet.