Amazon begins the ‘huge’ lift to shrink the carbon footprint of its devices to reach climate goals
by Lisa Stiffler on May 11, 2021 at 8:40 am | Geekwire
The generation of Amazon Echo Dot devices released in September 2020, which include tiger and panda designs, contain some recycled materials. (Amazon Photo)
Amazon’s newest Echo Dot is sold in charcoal, glacier white and twilight blue. But behind the scenes, the smart speakers that deliver Alexa are newly greened.
The Seattle-based tech giant is working to shrink its carbon footprint to reach carbon neutrality by 2040, an ambitious target and one that Amazon has convinced more than 100 other companies to join through its Climate Pledge.
To fulfill its climate promise, Amazon needs to curb emissions generated in every aspect of its trillion dollar business — including the climate debt created in the production, use and disposal of its Echo Dots, Fire TV devices, Fire tablets, Kindles and other products.
Experts in the sustainability industry say it’s a significant, potentially costly initiative. And while other tech companies appear to be a few steps ahead, Amazon is in a good position to make a meaningful difference given its resources and dominance in the technology and retail sectors. The key is making sure these greener practices are widespread and permanent in their adoption, according to those both in and outside of the company.