New technologies are now being used in the smartphone industry to reduce the carbon footprint and other pollutants with the aim of “green” growth.
Advanced technologies that reduce energy consumption in smart phones by up to 70%, increase charging speed, environmentally friendly packaging and renovation and reuse of mobile phones, televisions and other products are just some of the policies implemented by Xiaomi as part of its strategy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 98% by 2040.
As announced, this plan is called “Zero Carbon Philosophy” and will be achieved with the lowest carbon emissions through the research and development of clean technologies, as well as through the expansion of electronic waste (e-waste) management systems and the implementation of “green” operations and logistics.
Reducing the environmental footprint
In 2022, Xiaomi invested more than 50% of its total R&D expenses in Clean Technology Research & Development. That same year, the utilization of patents and products related to clean technology produced 59.7% of its revenues. The company has made significant progress in this field.
Here are some typical examples:
5G & Signal Transmission Energy Saving Technology: Through 5G energy saving technologies, Xiaomi has increased the energy savings of its smartphones. The advanced WLAN chips, combined with power monitoring and dynamic WLAN transmission technology, have reduced the company’s smartphone energy consumption by about 30%, compared to their previous generation.
Energy Efficient Display Technology: By enabling Dark Mode, which turns the background of the smartphone screens black, energy consumption can be reduced by up to 70% when using certain applications.
Charging Technology: In 2022, over 100 million smart devices used Xiaomi’s fast-charging technologies, saving nearly 57 million kWh of energy and 24,852 tonnes of CO2e emissions, compared to conventional fast-charging technology.
Eco-friendly Packaging: Xiaomi changed the packaging of its products, from “buckling” boxes to flattened cardboard boxes, while also removing the plastic handles that were present. Thanks to this upgrade, the company reduced the use of paper packaging by an average of 0.3m², while removing about 80g of plastic per product.
Circular economy and electronic waste management
Recycling and Rejection: In 2022, Xiaomi recycled approximately 4,500 tonnes of electronic waste, including smartphones. From 2022 to 2026, the company is committed to recycling 38,000 tonnes of electronic waste and using 5,000 tonnes of recycled materials in its products. Xiaomi continues to expand its “Trade-In” program, increasing the types of its recyclable products and its coverage in recycling services.
Renovation and Reuse: Xiaomi is committed to promoting the development of a circular economy, with the renovation of its used products. In 2022, its factory renovated approximately 94,000 smartphones, 5,600 electric scooters and 6,200 smart TVs. All were sold with a refurbished product certification.
Enhancing Durability: The company takes into consideration the durability of the materials it selects for its products. It has developed wear-resistant ceramic materials and silicon synthetic leather materials, which are used in many of its smartphones. It has established testing standards for dust protection, waterproofing, and drop resistance of its devices, which exceed international standards. In 2022, Xiaomi released a long-lasting battery with full charging and discharging capabilities, which has a 25% longer lifespan compared to previous versions.
