Displays are ubiquitous in our modern digital lives, from phones and tablets to computer monitors and televisions. With increasing demand for consumer electronics, the impact on our environment continues to grow. Estimates indicate over 1 billion smartphones were sold last year alone. However, traditional screen technology carries heavy environmental footprints from component manufacturing, product assembly, and hazardous materials like mercury and lead which create disposal issues. With unrelenting market growth projected, exploring sustainable innovations is imperative.

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Rajeev Singh, MD, BenQ India and South Asia, says that fortunately, promising eco-friendly technologies are emerging like e-paper displays made of biodegradable organic components that consume power only during screen refreshers. "Reflective ABI micro-electrical-mechanical systems leverage ambient light versus power-hungry backlighting engines. Recyclable solar-cell LCD alternatives also show potential for sustainability. Materials science breakthroughs improving semiconductor purity may enable efficiency jumps in nano-crystal LEDs," he informs.

Beyond hardware, the MD of BenQ India and South Asia, enlightens that power-optimized software and firmware design along with user settings like automatic brightness adjustment significantly impact energy consumption, and adds, "An eco-friendly ethos must permeate the entire value chain. Manufacturers play a pivotal role through integration of recycled resins and takeback initiatives to recover materials for reuse."

Talking about some of the technological trends, he informs, "Displays utilizing next-gen semiconductors enable significant efficiency gains but production scale constraints and integration challenges remain. Materials science offers promise with cellulose nanofibers for transparent, flexible and biodegradable films even stronger than steel. Manufacturing improvements are making integration economically viable for displays and other electronics but large-scale commercialization still remains elusive.

Additionally, he says, eye care and health focused display features are emerging. He avers, "Blue light filters that adjust color temperature for improved sleep are now common in phones and monitors. Anti-reflective and flicker-free backlighting optimizes viewability, reducing eye strain. Adjustable height stands and swivel mounts promote ergonomics. Even air quality monitors and antimicrobial touch surfaces are arriving in displays like interactive whiteboards and public displays."

On the flip side, he says, environmental best practices sometimes have trade-offs. As higher performance semiconductors require intensive resource and energy commitments, he believes that more often than not, investing in performance means the overall environmental impact of companies does not have a significant reduction in the carbon footprints of enterprises. "Products marketed as ‘eco-friendly’ can sport marginal improvements over traditional alternatives so transparency about impact is required.," he opines.

Of course, holistic change requires policy frameworks that encourage sustainable production and consumption while discouraging externalization of environmental costs through various economic and informational instruments. "Progress emerges from collaboration. Industry coalitions allow coordination across the display supply chain since silo efforts cannot address systemic issues effectively. Universal sustainability standards built on life cycle assessments offer clarity for producers and consumers," he adds.

Broadly, he says that India finds itself at a crucial juncture today with windows for safeguarding prosperity while preventing climate catastrophe closing quickly. "Policy interventions and collaborative action across the value chain can nurture positive industry transformations. Combined with market forces, conscientious policies and activism, greener technologies will continue advancing – the writing is on the wall for unsustainable displays," he sumps up saying.