Most electronics products are still headed for an early grave as manufacturers depend on consumers buying regular replacements for their gadgets, but Bang & Olufsen announced today its Beosound Level speaker had become the first to be “Cradle to Cradle Certified” in the consumer electronics industry.
The Danish audio specialist won the accolade from the Cradle to Cradle Products Innovation Institute, whose judgment is based on use of safe chemicals, recycling capabilities, renewable energy in manufacturing, water stewardship and social fairness.
The Level scores high on extending the life of the speaker and making it eminently recyclable. It has a modular design, meaning parts can be easily swapped out and updated. It includes a microprocessor that is more powerful than the speaker needs right now, but means it is capable of handling future advances. The cover of the speaker can be changed to suit your changing decor and, with just a screwdriver, owners can take the Level apart and replace the battery. Ease of disassembly means it will be easier to recycle at the end of its lifespan and the componentry already includes post-consumer recirculated polymer materials.