Category ceiling
6.2 HIP
This is the best score a product in this category can reach when the maker shares full data about
its materials, supply chain, repairs, and end-of-life. It is a target, not a product on sale today.
HIP Score
6.2/10
Standard
At category baseline (6.2)
Category ceiling: 6.2 HIP
Regenerative Index
-2.0
Extractive
At category average (-2.0)
Category ceiling RI: -2.0
Score Breakdown
How rare are the materials?
MSI · 20%
3.5
Why this score ▸
The product contains significant quantities of EU Critical Raw Materials including cobalt, lithium, and neodymium, which drive the scarcity score despite the presence of abundant recycled aluminium and ABS. While supply chains show some diversity through certifications like Fairtrade and IRMA, the reliance on these critical elements for battery and magnet functions prevents a higher rating.
Where do the materials come from?
SCR · 18%
5.5
Why this score ▸
The supply chain includes high-risk sourcing from the DRC (likely cobalt) and Australia (lithium), but the presence of the OECD Due Diligence Guidance and a verified alternative supplier mitigates critical risk. While the DRC presents significant governance concerns, the multi-country sourcing strategy and due diligence framework elevate the score to moderate risk, though the lack of third-party audit verification prevents a higher rating.
Can it be recycled?
RC · 18%
8.0
Why this score ▸
The product features screw-based disassembly, verified design for disassembly, and a compliant recycling label, meeting the criteria for well-designed recovery. The manufacturer's active take-back scheme and the high submitted recyclable stream percentage (92%) indicate that over 80% of the product enters verified recycling streams, placing it in the 7-8 range.
Can you fix it?
R · 13%
9.0
Why this score ▸
The product features a fully screw-fastened design with no adhesive on functional components, supported by a 5-year spare parts commitment and a public service manual. The iFixit score of 9 confirms exemplary repairability, placing this product in the highest tier for its category.
Is it made fairly?
SEI · 8%
7.0
Why this score ▸
The manufacturer has achieved Verified Good Practice status through a completed RBA audit and ISO 14001 certification, which exceeds baseline compliance. While the manufacturing location (Taiwan) is a moderate-risk jurisdiction, the presence of the Aluminium Stewardship Initiative (ASI) certification and formal RBA audit provides credible third-party verification of social and environmental management.
How long will it last?
PL · 8%
6.0
Why this score ▸
The product achieves an average lifespan score due to a stated design life of 6 years and a 2-year warranty, which aligns with the 5-8 year range for this category. The modular design is a significant positive factor for longevity, though the lack of a submitted IP rating prevents a higher classification.
Does it give back to nature?
RI · 15% · scale −10 to +10
-2.0
Why this score ▸
The product scores in the Extractive band (-5 to -1) due to 45% recycled content combined with a verified closed-loop take-back scheme. It is not Depleting because the presence of substantial recycled content and a verified take-back program explicitly exempts it from the -7 floor. It does not qualify for Restorative (+1 to +5) as there is no third-party verified regenerative certification (ROC) or ecosystem restoration evidence submitted.
MSI 20% · SCR 18% · RC 18% · R 13% · SEI 8% · PL 8% · RI 15% = 100%
About the HIP Methodology ▸
Starting scores are low on purpose. We only count what we can confirm from public data,
so most products sit between 2 and 4 out of 10 before a maker shares their own evidence.
That gap between the starting score and what a product could reach is the whole point.
When a maker proves what their product is really made of, the score goes up.
The HIP Mark shows it has been checked.
Read the full methodology →
Consumer Summary
This product earns a HIP Score of 6.2 out of 10, indicating a moderate overall performance in sustainability. Its Regenerative Index is -2.0, reflecting that while it uses some recycled materials, it still relies heavily on extracting new resources. The device stands out for its durable design and ease of repair, which helps extend its useful life.
What This Means For You
When shopping for wireless earbuds, prioritize models that are designed to be easily taken apart with screws rather than glued together. Look for brands that offer long warranties and have verified certifications for ethical labor and environmental management. Choosing products with higher recycled content and clear repairability ensures you are supporting a more circular economy.
Material Watch Points
- Cobalt — EU Critical Raw Materials list
- Lithium — EU Critical Raw Materials list
- Neodymium — EU Critical Raw Materials list
- Cobalt — DRC supply concentration risk
- Cobalt — DRC >70% global supply, OECD risk category 7
- Due diligence claimed but not third-party verified
Improvement Opportunities
| Dimension |
Current Score |
Potential |
Action |
| (To be completed after human review) |
— |
— |
— |
How this score was calculated
The HIP Score is a weighted average of seven dimensions measuring material
resilience, supply chain integrity, and end-of-life characteristics.
| Code |
Dimension |
Weight |
Score |
| MSI |
Material Scarcity Index |
0.20 |
3.5 / 10 |
| SCR |
Supply Chain Risk |
0.18 |
5.5 / 10 |
| RC |
Recyclability and Circularity |
0.18 |
8.0 / 10 |
| R |
Repairability |
0.13 |
9.0 / 10 |
| SEI |
Social and Environmental Impact |
0.08 |
7.0 / 10 |
| PL |
Product Longevity |
0.08 |
6.0 / 10 |
| RI |
Regenerative Index |
0.15 |
-2.0 (raw) |
Regenerative Index note: RI scores on a unique scale of -10 to +10.
Before weighting, the raw score is normalised: RI normalised = (RI raw + 10) / 2.
This product's RI band is Extractive.
Weighted HIP Score: 6.2 / 10
· Methodology v1.5
Base weights shown. Some product types use category-specific weight profiles —
see full methodology for details.
Read the full methodology →
Data Sources
This rating draws on the following public sources:
USGS Mineral Resources Program (public domain) · EU Critical Raw Materials List 2023 (CC BY 4.0) · World Bank Worldwide Governance Indicators (CC BY 4.0) · Category default assumptions table v0.1 (provisional — sources pending full citation)
All sources are public domain or published under open data licences.
Full source list →
About this rating:
HIP scores are based on public data and information the maker sent us at the date shown.
They show how well a product holds up over time — not a promise about safety or future supply.
Resourcehip is not liable for choices made based on these ratings.
Scope:
This is a verified product rating for Category Ceiling, assessed using manufacturer-submitted data and public category data.
Produced under Resourcehip Scoring Methodology 1.5 (CC BY-NC 4.0).
AI disclosure:
An AI model scored this rating on our own hardware — no data was sent to the cloud.
A human reviewer checked and approved it before it went live.
Model: qwen3.5:35b.
AI transparency notice →
Not financial or investment advice.
Ratings are for consumer information only.
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Assessed: 2026-04-20 · Next review: 2027-04-20 · Methodology 1.5
