First Time Ever in Armenia the Ecorating for Phone Devices: WWF Armenia and Orange Armenia Embark on New Partnership for Protection of Armenia’s Nature

June 26, 2012 – WWF Armenia and France Telecom subsidiary, Orange Armenia, launched today in Yerevan a new partnership on ecorating, i.e. ecological assessment of cell phones and provision of extra information on phone devices from ecological viewpoint. One of the core objectives of the partnership on ecorating is to provide customers with clear information about environmental impacts to help them make a better choice as well as increase people knowledge about products’ environmental impact on the whole life cycle.

In the framework of this partnership Orange Armenia will arrange 1% of each sold smart phone go to WWF Armenia for implementing environmental projects in nature tourism development and wildlife species protection in Armenia.

“As a socially responsible company we are glad to provide our Armenian consumers with knowledge and better choice for being a responsible consumer,” mentioned director of Orange Armenia, Mr. Bruno Duthois. “Environmental responsibility is one of the core issues at France Telecom Group and our company in Armenia is also guided by the same values” added Duthois.

Ecorating of phone devices is evaluated based on 1-5 scale. The higher rate smart phone has the less is its ecological footprint. This is the first time ecorating is used in Armenia and it will allow consumers to take into account not only the parameter options of the phone but also the environmental impact the phone has thereby showing phone producers that environmental issue is now taken into consideration when making purchasing decisions and lever on its ecodesign.

“WWF has an extensive experience in working with business sector in different directions worldwide and WWF Armenia attaches great importance to this partnership with Orange, which has already proved its environmentally friendly approach in a range of European countries. And, today the launch of this partnership in Armenia may foster the promotion of “green economy” values and principles in our country showcasing a good example for other business to follow ” stressed WWF Armenia director, Mr. Karen Manvelyan in his speech at the press conference today.

For further information:

Arthur Khoyetsyan
Partnership Development Manager
Tel: 58 89 83; 54 61 56 (ext. 14)
Email: akhoyetsyan@wwfcaucasus.am