"The growing need to combat climate change and control greenhouse gas emissions has led many brands to make efforts to reduce their carbon footprint. Abandoned, lost, or discarded fishing gear (ALDFG) is a major contributor to ocean pollution, affecting marine life and having a widespread impact on the environment. With 640,000 tons of ALDFG dumped into the oceans annually, Huawei felt the need to take a stand and confront this global environmental issue. Huawei is constantly looking for alternatives to reduce its carbon footprint," the company announced.
As most modern fishing nets are made of nylon, directing recycling efforts to this type of material offers the most direct solution to mitigating the impact of ALDFG on our oceans. Nylon is a durable material and can take hundreds of years to break down naturally. This type of material can have a significant negative impact on underwater fauna, with marine animals becoming entangled in abandoned nets. Also, over time, nylon degrades into thin fibers that are ingested by aquatic life. These fibers can block their airways, making it difficult for them to breathe.
In addition to the fact that recycled nylon helps reduce waste in the oceans, there are other positive environmental effects that come from recycling this material. Nylon production generates greenhouse gases such as nitrous oxide, which is 300 times more potent than carbon dioxide. The manufacturing process of nylon also uses a non-renewable resource – petroleum – leaving behind a huge carbon footprint. The fact that nylon can be recycled indefinitely allows Huawei not only to reduce its overall carbon footprint but also to have a continuous positive impact on the environment.
"Working side-by-side with organizations involved in collection efforts, Huawei has created a belt made of recyclable nylon composite material. About 5-10 grams of recycled nylon is used to manufacture each strap, so this alternative gives Huawei an abundance of raw material. With the production of each belt, Huawei contributes to reducing the amount of nylon waste and also adds a more sustainable feature to its products", the company states.
In addition to being environmentally friendly, recycled nylon is also proven to be stronger, more durable, and lighter compared to other recyclable materials. Through a rigorous conversion process, Huawei has developed a composite material strap that is made entirely of recyclable nylon. The unique strap offers users a hypoallergenic alternative that is gentle on the skin. Although it is lightweight, the strap is also highly resistant, having been tested during various daily activities to prove its durability.
With the HUAWEI WATCH 4 series, Huawei aims to popularize the message of the importance of sustainability. The smartwatch features an "Earth" themed watch face that informs users of identifying longitude and latitude coordinates along with day/night cycles. Along with the composite material strap, the HUAWEI WATCH 4 series comes as a constant reminder of how we can all help protect the planet by making conscious decisions about the environment.
The composite strap launched by Huawei meets the requirements set by the Global Recycle Standard (GRS), being made entirely of recycled nylon. This aspect indicates the brand's commitment to reducing the impact on the environment and promoting sustainable actions.
"This is just one step towards a sustainable future. Huawei continues to look for innovative ways to develop new products and incorporate sustainable practices and materials wherever possible. The Huawei company believes that we all have a role to play in protecting the planet and it is our duty to be consistent in offering our contribution", the company says.
