Environmental Responsibility
At Silicon Labs, “being green” is a global commitment. Environmental responsibility is integral to how we design and manufacture our semiconductor products, conduct business and give back to our communities. For example, Silicon Labs was one of the first semiconductor companies to offer a fully lead-free product portfolio. In addition to attaining ISO14001 (Environmental Management System) certification, Silicon Labs meets the environmental certification requirements of many of the world’s top electronics manufacturers.
Conserving energy and precious resources, designing smaller and more energy-efficient chips, investing in sustainable technologies and contributing to a cleaner, healthier environment makes good business sense. And it’s simply the right thing to do.
Ultra-Low-Power for a Greener Planet
As the use of electronic devices pervades every aspect of our lives, reducing power consumption — as well as product footprint and bill of materials (BOM) — begins with semiconductors. Energy-saving techniques designed in at the chip level can have a far-reaching impact on system-level power consumption. Silicon Labs leverages its mixed-signal expertise to design some of the industry’s smallest, most power-efficient integrated circuits, from microcontrollers to digital isolators to wireless ICs. These ultra-low-power chips are being used to develop smart meters that help conserve electricity, gas and water. They also provide energy-efficient control and connectivity solutions for personal medical devices, home security systems, and smart home applications such as in-home utility monitors. Silicon Labs’ ultra-low-power MCUs enable portable devices to use fewer disposable batteries and extend battery life by up to 25 percent, reducing the number of batteries dumped in landfills. When tomorrow’s designs call for even lower power, Silicon Labs will deliver the next wave of green energy innovations.
Green Stewardship at Home
As an environmental steward, we strive to reduce our carbon footprint and protect the environment at each Silicon Labs location around the world. At our headquarters in Austin, Texas, we participate in Austin’s GreenChoice program, which allows us to purchase a significant portion of our energy needs from renewable sources. By buying green power from sustainable sources such as wind farms, we help reduce the environmental impact of consuming fossil fuels to generate electricity. We believe tapping green energy is a wise financial investment over the long term that may provide a hedge against rising fossil fuel prices.
Our commitment to green energy goes hand-in-hand with our commitment to our home communities. For example, we were the first corporate partner for the City of Austin’s WasteSMART award. We also help fund Austin’s pedestrian trail projects and other park improvements, sponsor environmental education and outreach programs, and match employee contributions to environmental organizations. It’s all about giving back to the communities in which we live and work.