Sprint’s efforts to be the leading purveyor of eco-conscious wireless devces has been stymied by a lack of consumer demand.
The carrier began its efforts to push devices that use more recycled materials about four years ago, around the time Sprint launched the Samsung Reclaim. That device boasted the use of recycled plastics in its production, as well as more eco-friendly packaging.
Sprint CEO Dan Hesse said Wednesday during Bloomberg’s The Year Ahead: 2014 conference in Chicago that consumers have been less than receptive. According to a Bloomberg report, Hesse said U.S. consumers aren’t yet demanding sustainable products.
Back in March, Sprint received Frost & Sullivan’s 2013 North American Award for Green Excellence. As part of the award, the analyst firm noted Sprint’s efforts to outline specific commitments that address electronic waste (e-waste) holistically by focusing on the full lifecycle of the electronics it buys and sells. Sprint has pledged to responsibly recycle electronic scrap while also committing to boost equipment recycling and reuse.
As of March of this year, Sprint said its device trade-in program has collected more than 47 million devices.