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Towards Green Clean Computers
New Delhi, 13/01/2009
By Toxics Link
It is not enough to plant trees to minimise environmental degradation. It is also important to produce and manufacture products, which are environmentally safe. The buzzword today is ‘Design for Environment’ and ‘Green Computers’. The latest entrant to join this bandwagon is none other than Apple with its latest MacBook Pro touted as one of the greenest machines that the computing world has ever known. Claimed to be highly recyclable and energy efficient these notebooks are designed keeping environment in mind. Its fully recyclable aluminum case is supplemented with mercury free LCD display and arsenic free glass, besides being BFR and PVC free.
Computers are made up of many complex components. These have associated raw materials, energy and toxic repercussions. That is why it is impossible to think of a completely green computer. One can only talk of a relatively greener computer having less adverse impacts on environment. Computer manufacturers are not oblivious to the harms that their products can cause to the environment. And that’s why most companies have been coming out with greener version of the machines in last few years.
Though globally there has been a shift towards greener computers some time back, in India it is relatively newer. Hence, the awareness of this among the consumers in the country is very little. To term a computer green one needs to look at both upstream as well as downstream impacts. A Delhi based national NGO, Toxics Link has been working towards raising consumer awareness regarding this. It advocates a lifecycle perspective, which will give a greater understanding of the environmental impacts of the machine. High operational power efficiency, reduction and elimination of hazardous material and ‘Design for Environment’ are some of the key components in the upstream stage.
The energy efficiency of computers has improved significantly in the last few years. Recent Toxics Link publication showed that the shift to LCD screen from the age-old CRT monitors have cut down the power consumption drastically and can result in major money saving making the product more cost efficient. Energy efficiency becomes even more important for countries such as India facing significant energy shortage. It is only natural that operational power consumption of computers will take a center stage under the circumstances.
Computer manufacturers also control the size, material content, durability, hazardous nature and recyclability of products. Actions such as introducing lead free solder and reducing PVC content, eliminating BFRs, mercury and other toxic materials makes not just upstream impacts but affects the downstream in terms of reducing the hazards associated with recycling of computers. Avoiding toxic components can remove risks to workers manufacturing products as well as recyclers who manage disposal at the end-of-life. The environmental impact of E-waste, which is a global concern not just because of the quantity but also because of its toxic nature, can be reduced significantly if the manufacturing companies work at the design stage itself.
E-waste, at around 4 lakh tonnes generated annually in India, is recycled mostly in informal sector in crude manner in the country. The rudimentary dismantling as well as recycling processes exposes the workers to the health hazards of lead, mercury, chromium, and cadmium. Once released they further contaminate the air, water and soil.
Some suggested tips for consumers while buying a computer:
- If you are buying an average sized monitor, go for LCD screen since it saves more energy
- If you do not play advanced 3D games go with integrated graphics for the lowest power consumption
- Ask for ROHS (Restriction on Hazardous Substance) compliant computers
- Opt for computer/laptops with energy ratings and labels.
- Choose non PVC, BFR machines
- Look for a computer and components, which can be easily upgradable
Ms Priti Mahesh, Senior Programme Officer, Toxics Link also stresses on the need for having legislation to make it mandatory for manufacturers to put greener products in the market. She points out that though globally there is a move to legislate and push for environment friendly computers, in India there is no legislative mandate to eliminate or restrict the use of hazardous substances.
With growing awareness about environmental pollution and its possible impacts on climate change and the concern of resource depletion, there has been a notable shift in the way the products are designed and it will be a step in the right direction to support such products through regulatory and legislative framework by the government.
For more information contact: Priti Mahesh - 9810815320
Documents related to this story 
• Factsheet 33 on Green Computer : Making of a Greener Computer (English)
By Toxics Link;
Published by Central Pollution Control Board;
12/01/2009
It is high time for the tech world to think about going green. As the world is struggling to fight the menace of existing stream of waste like municipal solid waste and biomedical waste, the new generation waste, e-waste is fast becoming a serious issue. The fact sheet discusses various aspects of green computers, which may be the only solution for the new stream of waste.
Download electronic copy
06213_factsheet_33_green_computer.pdf
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