Product: LG 42PG3000 Attributes: 42 Inch LCD Plasma Display [Image: Google Images]

More and more legislation is being created to deal with the growing threats against the world’s environment. This legislation is normally associated with large corporate firms that deal with raw materials. However more legislation is being enacted that targets the product designers, regarding what materials can and cannot be used in products. And if they are used, then what measures have to be taken in order for them to be used safely. This Diagram shows the precise strategies that are in place to aid the recycling process and cut harmful use of chemicals. However these strategies needed to be researched and implemented against the old methods, for example by lowering the use of materials that are harmful to humans. These methods cost money to research and design. As the harmful materials have been decreased they will need to be replaced with a new materials. These new materials may cost more to build with, thus increasing the consumer price. [Image: LG Website ‘Eco-Design’]

The diagram shows the ways in which LG have specifically implemented techniques to make the TV more economically friendly. Even things as simple as reducing the number of screws that are involved in constructing the TV itself can have a large impact when the TVs are mass produced. This could mean a decrease in price for the customer, as less raw materials are being used. On the other hand these savings could be countered by the use of natural materials, wood is an expensive material for mass production. In regard to the elimination of hazardous substances in LG products, this was stated in the Sustainability Report ‘LG Electronics places utmost priority on consumer safety. From the designing stage to a product’s usage and disposal, we continuously seek ways to improve product safety to prevent risk to consumers’ property, health and life’ [LG sustainability Report 2006/7] [Image: LG Website ‘Eco-Products’]

A new global development program, Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), that is designed to ensure that companies are responsible for their product throughout their product life, not passing the responsibility as soon as the product is sold. The Take-back scheme is a major part of this program, which involves the manufacturer being responsible for collecting the product once it’s reached the end of its product life. In this case the plasma TV could be taken to the correct recycling/drop of facility to be collected by LG to be re-used and re-cycled. LG follow the guidelines of the EPR, they have recourses which enables them to carry out their take back policy, the details of how this is done can be seen in the diagram opposite. With respect to costs it seems that the added costs of using the ‘take-back’ schemes are applied to both sides, the manufacturer and consumer; ‘Waste-management costs are shifted to those most capable of reducing EOL costs by changing designs for recyclability, longevity, reduced toxicity, and limited volume of waste generated’ ‘EOL costs reflected in product prices -- consumers can make more informed decisions’ [University of Berkley, California website] [LG website, Collection of waste home appliances]

As the environment has increasingly become a larger topic of awareness for major manufacturers, more and more companies have started including different methods to make their products more ‘eco-friendly’. Even though LG have a lot of measures in place to make thier products have less impact on the environment, there will always be competitors that rival with different methods. Grundig have designed a version of their ‘eco-frindly’ TV, which are a range of LCD TVs that are claimed to have reduced impact on the carbon dioxide levels. Grundig also claim ‘For every 1kg of global warming gas emitted, Grundig is paying for 1kg to be saved through climate friendly projects.’ [ Like many other aspects of marketing being ‘eco-friendly’ is another aspect of competition between companies, and it is statements like the above which cause companies to come up with the ‘cheaper’ alternative as well. This can lead to consumer products which boast being environmentally friendly, but also at a cheaper price than previous products which boast the same.

Slide 1 Image – ‘Eco-Design’, (n.d), Accessed 27/11/08, Slide 2 Citation – LG Sustainability Report 2006/7, P37, 1 st Paragraph. Image -‘Ecology Plasma TV’, Slide 3 Citation –‘An Introduction to Take-back’, P3, Image – ‘Collection of Waste Home Appliances’, Slide 4Citation - ‘Grundig unveils eco-friendly LCD TV range’, Tim Wood ID: ECE