Robotic vacuums are among the most popular of modern household technologies, and many consumers wonder about the carbon footprint of robot vacuum cleaners.
Are they more efficient or do they add emissions to your household footprint?
There are many advantages to robotic vacuums, from the obvious time-saving capabilities and user convenience to the potential ecological impact.
But, available information on this topic is admittedly limited, so this article explores what is known about robot vacuums and their carbon emissions.
The Carbon Footprint of Robot Vacuum Cleaners
Just as every individual and organization has a carbon footprint, so too do objects.
Every product in existence has a carbon footprint which includes all the carbon emissions from the production of raw materials, the manufacturing of the product, electricity, packaging and transport of the product, consumer use and disposal of the product, as well as many less obvious factors, such as product marketing and retail, employee commuting, corporate travel, and so forth.22
Individuals seeking to learn how to calculate carbon footprint manually require a full understanding of how these combined factors are evaluated. For more information on how these variables are classified and measured, see the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) webpages on “Scope 1 and Scope 2 Inventory Guidance” and “Scope 3 Inventory Guidance.”28, 29, 30
Carbon emissions calculators are exactly as accurate and complete as the data that is input into them. Without careful analysis of supply chain factors and operational carbon emissions, it is difficult to understand the full ecological impact of a single product.
This section explores what is currently known about the carbon footprint of robot vacuum cleaners and also pinpoints where information is sorely lacking.
Raw Materials
More and more products are electronic in nature, and electronic devices all share one vital component: the chip. Chips are semiconductors which contain raw materials like silicon, gallium, selenium, among many others.
Many of these materials are rare, some are volatile, and most require carbon heavy mining and processing. The same can be said of battery manufacturing.15
A study out of Harvard University and Arizona State University estimated that 75% of the carbon footprint of battery-powered devices was produced during the hardware manufacturing phase of development (Ex. chips and batteries).31, 32, 5
Manufacturing
Without the manufacturer reporting these numbers, the most that can be accomplished here is to speculate on the carbon emissions of manufacturing robovacs. One of the biggest variables is electricity consumption, and recent worldwide data is informative about the most (and least) carbon-intensive areas for production.14
Many robotic vacuums are manufactured in China and other areas of the Asia Pacific, regions which are known to rely more heavily on coal and petroleum sourced energy, placing them on the higher end of the continuum of carbon-intense electricity grids.
Consumer Use
Consumer use of robovacs requires less electric input than traditional vacuums, and contemporary robotic vacuums are designed to further reduce energy use by making cleaning more efficient and drawing minimal maintenance energy after full charge. On average, robotic vacuums use between 20 and 40 watts of electricity per hour.9
It is important to note that in many cases, a robovac will not completely replace a traditional vacuum, as many homeowners will retain the conventional vacuum model to perform periodic deep cleans.18
End-of-Life
The carbon emissions generated at this stage of the robovac’s life cycle comes down to how it is disposed of. When properly recycled, more than 50% of total components can be recycled or reused for some robotic vacuums (the number may be higher or lower for different brands).22
Is the Carbon Footprint of Robot Vacuum Cleaners Getting Bigger or Smaller?
The carbon footprint of robot vacuum cleaners is projected to get smaller over time. Spurred on by modern technological developments, energy saving technology, climate activism, the revolutionizing of the energy industry to focus on renewable energy sources, the push for corporate accountability, more complete carbon footprint reporting, and increased consumer knowledge, manufacturing and use of robotic vacuums and other household robots will surely become more eco-friendly.
While there is no way to absolutely guarantee this outcome, responsible sourcing, manufacturing, and consumerism can help to assure it.
What Is a Robotic Vacuum Cleaner?
Robotic vacuum cleaners are small, battery-powered, household appliances that are programmed to clean floors without user assistance. Using camera-based or laser-based sensors, the little robots are able to navigate around obstacles to suck up small debris.
The first model was introduced in 1996, but the technology did not see commercial success until the early 2000s.11
Robot vacuums are often called “Roombas” (after the leading brand) or “robovacs” for short, and contemporary models are often equipped with various cleaning modes. Some models even have mopping and self-emptying capabilities.1,11
Robotic vacuums account for approximately 40% of service-oriented robot sales worldwide, second only to voice-interactive assistants and far exceeding the sale of other household bots. The market for robotic vacuums, already valued at over 4 billion dollars, is expected to expand at an impressive rate over the coming years.12
What Is a Carbon Footprint?
Most people are familiar with the issue of climate change, at least at a surface level, but they may not be as confident in their understanding of a carbon footprint. So, take a moment to explore the question “What is a carbon footprint?”
A carbon footprint is the combined greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions attributable to a specific source (See “Carbon Footprint Factsheet”).10,25 Those emissions may be either directly or indirectly caused by that source, whether individual, company, product, or other.
The most prominent and well-known GHG is carbon dioxide (CO2), and GHGs are often referred to colloquially as carbon emissions. However, various other GHGs, such as methane, nitrous oxide, and fluorocarbons are extremely harmful, leading to the adoption of the more informative term, carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e).10,26
Carbon footprint calculation has allowed individuals, businesses, large corporations, and even entire countries to understand their environmental impact by calculating the Global Warming Potential (GWP) of CO2e emissions generated.27 A public push for environmental accountability has urged many companies to track and report their current carbon footprint and climate goals on an annual basis.
Comparing the Carbon Footprint of Traditional Vacuum Cleaners
A large contributor to the carbon footprint of traditional vacuum cleaners is the electricity demand. The average vacuum cleaner uses about 1,400 watts of electricity for each hour of use, and unfortunately, a lot of that energy is used for cooling or simply lost.
According to a 2016 study, a traditional vacuum cleaner can be expected to generate approximately 312 kg of CO2e during its life cycle with just under 80% attributable to consumer use.3 To put this in perspective, that is equivalent to driving nearly 800 miles in a gas-powered passenger vehicle (See EPA Greenhouse Gas Equivalencies Calculator).24
The Carbon Footprint of Smart Home Devices and Smart Appliances
A variety of smart home devices, from voice assistants, fully equipped security systems, thermostats, televisions, plugs, scales, and even lights are becoming much more prominent in the modern home. Similarly, smart appliances, from dishwashers, washing machines, coffee makers, refrigerators, and so on are also increasing in popularity.
These technological wonders are often touted as eco-friendly and home automation has been found to reduce the carbon emissions generated in the home by more than 10%!4
While this is undoubtedly fantastic, do not forget the carbon cost of manufacturing the chip technology within the devices. The semiconductor materials within chips are carbon-intensive to mine, collect, and process, and in 2020, Samsung alone generated 12.9 million tons of CO2e in 2020 just in their chip manufacturing plants.15
(Image: Brian Kostiuk33)
Creating a closed loop cycle for raw material recycling is critical to reducing the carbon footprint of smart products.
As smart home devices and smart appliances continue to evolve with the potential to radically change the daily lives of millions of people, they will undoubtedly rely more upon artificial intelligence (AI) to improve their functioning and intuitiveness. This is one of the reasons why it is important to consider the carbon footprint of AI.
Artificial intelligence is an interesting topic because it has so much potential to ameliorate environmental issues through climate modeling and data processing, but it also has its own environmental drawbacks. Because AI is mostly unseen, it’s easy to forget that it still generates carbon emissions.
Training and programming AI models, even relatively simple ones like what would be used in smart home devices require significant energy consumption.21
The Future of Cleaning Technology
It is highly likely that the next decade will see many further advances in cleaning technology, from self-cleaning appliances to more energy-efficient household staples, to new innovations in sanitation and purification of communal spaces. Cleaning tasks are projected to become increasingly more automated, and as cleaning technology progresses, manufacturers and innovators must do their part to combat the growing impact of electronic waste and manufacturing emissions.17
Reducing the Carbon Footprint of Robot Vacuum Cleaners
The earlier segments of this article illuminated the fact that the vast majority of emissions from robotic vacuum cleaners likely come from the manufacturing phase of their lifespans.
Thus, the task of reducing the overall carbon footprint of robot vacuum cleaners would appear to fall on the shoulders of the manufacturers themselves.
While this is mostly true, consumers also have a personal responsibility to keep themselves informed so that they can make the best, eco-friendly choices available to them. The following are some tips for the eco-minded consumer.
Purchasing the Machine
When purchasing a robotic vacuum, pay attention to where the machine was manufactured. This is important for three main reasons:
- The further away the product is manufactured, the more emissions it produces during transport.
- As noted above, various countries and regions have more carbon-intense electric grids, and a product manufactured in those regions will subsequently generate more emissions.
- Some companies may offer supply chain information on their websites. Being attentive to the brand also allows an individual to research where, what, and how raw materials are produced.
Using at Home
Consumer use is not a huge contributor to the overall carbon footprint, as modern robotic vacuums use relatively little electricity to charge (around 40 watts per hour compared to 1,400 watts with traditional vacuums).13
The key here is ensuring that the robovac is properly cared for and maintained to ensure a long life. This means regularly:
- Emptying the bin
- Cleaning or replacing the filter
- Wiping down the sensors
- Cleaning brushes
- Performing firmware updates
- Removing small objects from the floor (socks, shoelaces, charging cords) before they can become trapped in the vacuum
Also, avoid docking the robovac in an area that gets direct sunlight or excessive heat from ventilation, as overheating can damage battery capacity over time.16
End-of-Life
Programs for recycling electronic waste are invaluable to reducing the carbon impact of household robots. Because the bulk of the emissions are generated during the collection, production, and processing of raw materials, an imperative to recycle and remake these raw materials into a new machine or product is necessary.
Some manufacturers may offer dedicated robot vacuum recycling programs for their products to create a closed loop of material supply.
Check the manufacturer’s website to see if this is the case. Continue reading to learn what to do when it is not.
Robotic vacuums should never be disposed of in the regular trash, as electronic waste can contaminate soil and groundwater. When finished using a product, always consider donating or resale first.
If the vacuum is no longer functional, remember to recycle electronics through a designated e-waste recycling facility, and note that some facilities will require the batteries to be removed and recycled separately.23 Conveniently, some electronics companies, such as Best Buy, are known to recycle electronic waste, no matter where it was purchased.20
Following the above steps will help consumers minimize the environmental impact of their robotic vacuums.
How Long Do Robot Vacuums Last?
Robotic vacuum lifespan is a probable area of interest for anyone considering the purchase of one, so “How long do robot vacuums last?” The newest, most advanced models of robotic vacuums should have a lifespan of about 4 to 6 years.
The eventual lifespan depends upon the type of vacuum as well as how much the vacuum is used and how well it is maintained.8 The same can be said of traditional vacuum cleaners, the median life of which is estimated at eight years.7
Do Robot Vacuums Really Work?
To some, the idea of a small appliance taking care of household chores may seem too good to be true, but “Do robot vacuums really work?” Yes, they do.
Although robotic vacuums are not as powerful as traditional vacuums, they have distinct advantages, including their ability to access difficult-to-reach places, such as under sofas, and the option of scheduling cleanings of various areas of the home. So while a robotic vacuum may not gather up as many specks of dust as conventional vacuums, its automatic removal of most visible debris renders it an instant hit.2
Are Robot Vacuums Worth It?
Upon observing the hefty price tag attached to many robot vacuums, plenty of consumers wonder “Are robot vacuums worth it?” The answer to this depends upon a few individual circumstances, such as:
- The desired purpose of the robot vacuum
- The amount of floor space accessible to the vacuum
- The amount of time that can be saved by switching from traditional vacuuming
- The extent of floor mess in the home (pets? children?)
To elaborate more on these points, take a look at them individually.
Vacuum’s Purpose or Function
A robotic vacuum works very well to clear away visible debris in open and easily accessible spaces. Individuals looking for an option for deep cleaning or cleaning tight spaces or crevices will not get the desired effect from their robotic vacuum.
Amount of Accessible Floor Space
A single robotic vacuum can clean up to 1,500 square feet of floor or more, depending on the model, on a single battery charge before returning itself to its charging dock.6
(Image: YoonJae Baik34)
Using its sensors, it can navigate around furniture and walls to clean multiple connected rooms. Thus, the value of a robotic vacuum may be equivalent to the amount of floor it is able to clean without human assistance.
Potential Time Saved
People who spend time daily vacuuming their home will recover more valuable time than those who vacuum only rarely, thus increasing the perceived value of the device. Furthermore, individuals who lead busier, more hurried lives may be more inclined to appreciate a way to clean automatically.
Extent of the Mess
Homes that have very little visible mess will not benefit as noticeably from a robotic vacuum. In contrast, homes with indoor animals or small children that regularly leave residue behind on floor surfaces stand to benefit greatly from the addition.
Some robotic vacuums even have mopping functions that come in particularly handy when cleaning up bathroom and kitchen messes.
The above criteria combine to determine the overall worth of a robotic vacuum to a given individual.
Are robotic vacuums good for the environment? This question has been asked many times in recent years, and unfortunately, data is still not complete enough to draw a confident conclusion.
Currently, the production of chips for electronics contributes greatly to worldwide carbon emissions, and eco-friendly appliances and devices are hard put to compensate for this during the user stage of their life cycles.
Consumers should keep an eye on developing research and hope that very soon manufacturers and brands will begin accurate and comprehensive reporting of the carbon footprint of robot vacuum cleaners.
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