8 Sustainable & Eco-Friendly Appliances To Cook, Cool, & Clean Consciously

Why Are Eco-Friendly Appliances Important?

Despite rapid advances in technology itself, progress toward making that technology sustainable has been, well, a little less rapid.

There are still many problems plaguing the vast majority of technology—and that includes appliances.

Environmental concerns

Environmental concerns are relevant at every stage of an appliance’s lifecycle—from raw material sourcing to their end-of-life fate. 

The main materials in most household appliances fall into two categories (both of which have environmental concerns): metal and plastic.

Even the most eco-friendly appliances require mining. 

In the EU alone, it’s estimated that appliance production requires a whopping 6 million tons of raw materials—3 million tons of stainless steel and 1.1 million tons of plastic. 

Not only do the materials require fossil fuels which leads to mining complications like erosion, deforestation, sinkholes, contaminated water, and worker harm, but then they’re often transformed into appliances in an equally damaging way.

While some appliance manufacturers use clean energy, much of the industry’s production is made possible with significant amounts of gas, coal, or oil. 

Manufacturing also requires tremendous volumes of water. Toxic wastewater laden has to be disposed of, as do the appliances when they are no longer functional or wanted.

The average American household gets rid of 44 pounds of electronic waste every year. Much of this ends up in landfills, releasing harmful chemicals while it slowly breaks down (and some components will never break down).

Our recycling rates are getting better—roughly 60% for all metals in appliances in the US—but we’re still sending about half directly to landfills. 

Ethical concerns

Like many other industries, there are several human rights concerns that come with appliances.

Between the high levels of child labor involved in cobalt mining, to the fact that just ten appliance companies account for around 66% of the world’s electronics—there’s plenty of room for improvement.

Unfortunately, even our list of eco-friendly appliances is tarnished by some of these concerns.

Nearly every one of these brands had reported ethical issues—ranging from tax avoidance for Beko’s parent company to concerns of forced labor for both Bosch and LG.

How We Found The Most Sustainable & Eco-Friendly Appliances

So, how do you make appliances eco-friendly?

As per a slow tech diet, we referred to our handy guide on sustainable technology for the key considerations.

Materials: 

The most environmentally friendly appliances are made from recycled and easy-to-recycle materials (such as glass, steel, brass, and aluminum).

We also look for non-toxic materials and minimal plastic content (and ideally recycled plastic at that).

• Certifications: Restriction of Hazardous Substances in Electrical and Electronic Equipment (RoHS),  Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation, and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH), ENERGY STAR

Supply chain and labor practices: 

Transparency is key. Companies need to be able to map their complex supply chains to understand what conditions are provided. 

We look for brands committed to improving conditions during raw material sourcing, pay living wages, and use certifications or audits to ensure their supply chains are free of forced/child labor. 

• Certifications: Social Accountability International (SA8000), ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 45001

Green business practices:

Designing energy-efficient appliances is important, but carbon offset programs that allow for climate neutrality, renewable energy use, and water and waste recycling also indicate that a company puts the planet first.

We look for high-quality, durable products and circular economy (AKA zero waste) practices.

How To Find Eco-Friendly Appliances For Your House

Aside from using our criteria above, how else can you assess the sustainability of the ENERGY STAR appliances you’ve been eyeing?

Here are some tips for the next time you go appliance shopping:

• Second-hand appliances: Second-hand is the best option unless the old appliances are very dated, as they may be worse for the environment. An old refrigerator, for instance, may use three times as much energy as a newer energy-efficient model. 

• Energy efficiency: If everyone in the U.S. were to switch to energy-efficient appliances, the equivalent of 23 million cars worth of greenhouse gasses would be avoided. When new appliances save energy, they cut down on utility bills, too! Fortunately, looking for high-efficiency appliances is easy. 

• The EnergyGuide label will show the annual energy consumption and operating cost for the appliance. 

• The ENERGY STAR label will be found on all products that meet specific energy efficiency standards.

• Smart appliances can be connected to home energy management systems or smart electric meters to use electricity more efficiently during off-peak hours. 

• In the EU, individual classes use the letters A to G, with A being the most energy-efficient. The more plus (+) signs, the more energy-efficient the appliance. A+++ appliances are 48% more energy-efficient than A+ appliances. 

• Quality and longevity: Has the product been designed to last? Is it made from quality materials? Even better, does it come with a warranty or options for easy repair/part replacement?

• End-of-life policies: Even a new, well-built appliance will eventually reach the end of its life. What happens then? Has the manufacturer considered the recyclability of its materials? Do they have a program to collect and properly recycle the appliance? Does the appliance contain toxic materials that will wreak havoc in a landfill?