Acer, the world’s leading computer producer, Friday, (May 28) announced the use of recycled materials in the manufacture of computers as it commits to 100 percent renewable energy use by 2035.
At the virtual The Next@Acer 2021 Global Press Conference, Acer Chairman and CEO, Jason Chen announced that the ACER Group has joined the RE100 initiative and also shared a pledge to achieve 100 percent renewable energy use by the year 2035.
In addition, Acer declared its mission to help tackle environmental challenges with its “Earthion” platform that unites the strengths of its employees and supply chain partners, and expands the circle of impact of its sustainability efforts.
These strengths and efforts are exemplified by the Aspire Vero notebook, its first sustainability-focused product under the Earthion platform.
The Acer Earthion is a platform that tackles environmental challenges through innovation and solution. It is a collaboration across supply chain, function and multiple generations.
Earthion’s primary focused topics energy by using 100 percent renewable energy; product design using green innovations,; packaging design using less packaging and more recycled materials; production by minimizing impact on the environment; logistics by leaving a smaller carbon footprint; and recycling, reusing, and repurposing resources.
Notably, Acer, which has been the number one computer brand in the Philippines for the past 10 years, is one of the first tech companies to launch full-on sustainability in its operation.
Chen explained that while they have been using recycled materials in their packaging and other processes, the world’s leading computer maker was also looking into using recycled materials in making computers. It was not a sudden idea, said Jason but a thrust that has been well thought out.
“And we are the first one coming out with computers based on recycled materials,” said Chen stressing it is “the right thing to do” and to “make the right choice and decision for the future.”
In 2020, all of Acer’s notebooks have adopted recycled paper for packaging, and these environmentally friendly designs have saved 8,750 kg of paper pulp and cut down on the usage of 20 million plastic bags.
From Acer’s internal recycling activities, over 50 metric tons of batteries were recycled and remanufactured into new ones. More than 75 percent of Acer employees across 50 countries participated—driven from their hearts.
With Earthion, this initiative has expanded again: Acer seeks to share this culture with its partners and suppliers, creating a single overarching platform and creating an even larger circle of impact.
Today, the company has a clear goal of utilizing clean energy and sustainable materials, culminating in a concerted effort with its suppliers and partners to build its Earthion platform, starting with the Aspire Vero, a sustainability-focused notebook.
The first product within the Earthion platform, Acer’s Aspire Vero is a step towards reimagining what the computer manufacturing process looks like. Post-consumer recycled (PCR) plastic is used throughout the device’s chassis and keyboard caps. Eco-friendly packaging takes this a step further: the Aspire Vero ships in a box made from 80-85% recycled paper pulp, and plastic bagging for adapter protection is reduced by using paper sleeves instead.
In addition, the laptop bag and the sheet between the keyboard and screen is made with 100 percent industrial recycled plastic.
This emphasis on sustainability carries over to the design language, too. All graphics on the shipping box are printed with soy ink, and the notebook itself contains no paint on the chassis, reducing the impact on the environment. It is held together by easily-accessible, standardized screws for a simpler disassembly process.
The notebook stands out with unique yellow and volcano grey accents on its bumpers, and the text on the R and E keys have been inverted, calling out the 3 Re’s: reduce, reuse and recycle.
“In 2020, more than 60 environment and education projects were initiated by our employees in over 40 countries. This year, we aim to achieve more. In education, we want to help bridge the digital divide and cultivate talent around the world. For the environmental, we wish to help create a greener tomorrow through innovative solutions,” Chen said.
Already, Acer’s transparent reporting efforts on Environmental, Social, and Corporate Governance (ESG) have been recognized by global sustainability indices, and the company has won industry accolades for ESG performance.
In 2020, Acer was listed on three global sustainability indices: the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices Emerging Markets Index for the seventh consecutive year, the MSCI ESG Leaders Indexes with an “AA” rating, and the FTSE4Good Emerging Index for the fifth year. In addition, Acer was ranked among the 100 most sustainably managed companies in the world by The Wall Street Journal.