The Acer Group announced that it has joined the RE100 initiative and also shared a pledge to achieve 100% renewable energy use by the year 2035.
Acer has also launched its Earthion platform and the Aspire Vero notebook, its first sustainability-focused product under the Earthion platform.
"I am so touched to see Acer employees and partners come together, knowing that they have the ability to make decisions to protect our environment for future generations," said Tiffany Huang, co-chief operating officer at Acer. "We already have the commitment of AUO, Compal, Innolux and Quanta, and look forward to welcoming more partners to join the Acer Earthion mission to speed up the development of green designs and processes, and support our goal of 100% renewable energy for a sustainable planet."
Acer said the company, including its global operations and subsidiaries, successfully achieved its 2020 target of reducing its carbon emissions by 60% worldwide.
Setting a new commitment to source renewable energy for all of its energy use by 2035, Acer also announced that it has joined RE100, a global corporate renewable energy initiative that brings together hundreds of large and ambitious businesses committed to 100% renewable electricity. Green energy has been utilized by various Acer operations since as early as 2013, with some locations even installing solar panels to generate their own solar power. In 2020, the Acer Group achieved 44% renewable energy use.
"I am delighted to welcome Acer to RE100. By committing to 100% renewable electricity by 2035, Acer joins over 300 of the world's leading businesses committed to driving market change," said Sam Kimmins, Head of RE100, The Climate Group.
Earthion
Earthion is a platform that combines the strengths of the company, its supply chain partners, consumers (channels), and their employees. "Earthion" is a blend of the words "Earth + Mission," and is the name Acer has created to represent its mission to help tackle environmental challenges through innovative and integrated solutions.
Earthion's primary topics of focus are: using 100% renewable energy as a goal; green innovations; using less packaging and more recycled materials; minimizing production's impact on the environment; leaving a smaller carbon footprint from logistics; and recycling, reusing, and repurposing resources, said Acer.
Acer Aspire Vero
The first product within the Earthion platform, Acer's Aspire Vero is a step towards reimagining what the computer manufacturing process looks like, said the company. Post-consumer recycled (PCR) plastic is used throughout the device's chassis and keyboard caps. Eco-friendly packaging takes this a step further: the Aspire Vero ships in a box made from 80-85% recycled paper pulp, and plastic bagging for adapter protection is reduced by using paper sleeves instead. Furthermore, the laptop bag and the sheet between the keyboard and screen is made with 100% industrial recycled plastic.
Acer Aspire Vero
Photo: Company
This emphasis on sustainability carries over to the design language, too. All graphics on the shipping box are printed with soy ink, and the notebook itself contains no paint on the chassis, reducing the impact on the environment. It is held together by easily-accessible, standardized screws for a simpler disassembly process. The notebook stands out with unique yellow and volcano grey accents on its bumpers, and the text on the R and E keys have been inverted, calling out the three "Re's": reduce, reuse and recycle.
Behind all of this is a computer powered by the latest 11th Gen Intel Core processor with Intel Iris X graphics and to 1TB of M.2 SSD storage. This display features a lifting-hinge design that slightly elevates the notebook when opened, allowing for a more ergonomic typing experience, while AI noise suppression offers clarity during video calls. The notebook also comes with Intel Wi-Fi 6 (Gig+), a USB Type-C port, two USB 3.2 ports and an HDMI 2.0 port for video-out.