AT&T’s Eco-Rating System Now Appears In-Store

AT&T is going green and letting you know about it in a big way. They’re doing something called Eco-ratings that are now appearing in AT&T stores so you know which phones are green! According to a survey AT&T did 60% of people would rather buy a ‘green’ phone that any other. Personally I don’t care if the phone is green as long as it does what I want and need it to. What about you, would you buy a phone specifically because it was green?  Full info below for you about the new system…

After their initial debut at Mobile World Congress earlier this year, AT&T eco-ratings are now in-store. Starting today, customers will begin to see a simple, easy-to-read-and-understand label attributed to all new AT&T-branded postpaid mobile devices. In addition to these new devices, 13 more from the existing portfolio will also be designated with an eco-rating.

This announcement comes on the heels of a survey conducted by AT&T in June of 2012, which notes that, all things being equal, 60 percent of those surveyed would consider the environmental impact of a device before making a purchase.

"AT&T’s eco-ratings give consumers product information they want," said Jeff Bradley, senior vice president, Devices, AT&T Mobility. "Consumers want the best and fastest devices while being able to make an empowered choice about environmental impacts of the device. Our eco-ratings accomplish just that."

The eco-rating system assesses 15 specific criteria drawn from five general categories of sustainability attributes – attributes include the usage of environmentally preferable materials, minimization of hazardous substances, energy efficiency, responsible end-of-life treatment and environmentally-responsible manufacturing. Device manufacturers submit an assessment of which of the 15 criteria the device meets. AT&T reviews this report and confirms the data reported. These criteria are then calculated into AT&T’s five-star system, with five stars being the highest. The 15 specific criteria include, for example, the percentage of post-consumer plastic used in the device, restriction of compounds such as lead, cadmium, mercury, nickel and antimony trioxide/antimony compounds and product energy efficient features.

Further explanation of the eco-rating system and information about the application of ratings to individual devices can be found by scanning an on-label QR code, by visiting any AT&T store or at AT&T’s consumer-focused sustainability site, EcoSpace.

The eco-rating system is just one example of AT&T’s commitment to engaging customers around sustainability. In the past year the company:

• Launched a consumer-friendly website portal for consumers called EcoSpace. The site offers consumers an easy one-stop-shop to learn more about AT&T’s sustainability initiatives, shop for all of AT&T’s eco-products, find eco-rating information for assessed devices, paperless billing sign up and recycling information;
• Promoted free, secure and convenient paperless billing options through www.att.com/simplify;
• Transitioned AT&T-branded accessory packaging to a new plastic that is comprised of up to 30 percent plant-based materials; and,
• Unveiled a new device trade-in recycling program, helping consumers save their old phones from landfills while also having the choice to make a donation to charity or earn AT&T credit for future purchases at an AT&T store.