 |
Dear EarthTalk: My old computer finally bit the dust and
I am in the market for a replacement. Are there any particularly
"green" computers for sale these days? -- Brian Smith,
Nashua, NH
 Thanks
in part to pressure from non-profits like Greenpeace International—which
has published quarterly versions of its landmark “Guide
to Greener Electronics” since 2006—computer makers
now understand that consumers care about the environmental
footprints of the products they use.
The latest version of Greenpeace’s guide gives high
marks to Toshiba, Lenovo, Sony and Dell for increasing the
recyclability of their computers and reducing toxic components
and so-called “e-waste” (refuse from discarded electronic
devices and components). The group also credits Apple, HP
and Fujitsu for making strides toward greener products and
manufacturing processes, but emphasizes that even such top
ranked companies have lots of room for improvement when it
comes to the environment.
PC Magazine, the leading computer publication for
consumer and business users, recently assessed dozens of personal
computers according to environmental standards it developed
in-house based on energy efficiency, recyclability and the
toxicity of components. The publication also factored in various
“green” certification schemes such as the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency’s EnergyStar program, the European Union’s
Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) directive, Taiwan’s
Greenmark and the computer industry’s own Electronic Products
Environmental Assessment Tool (EPEAT).
The top choices for green desktop computers, according to
PC, are Apple’s Mac Mini, Zonbu’s Desktop Mini, HP
Compaq’s 2710p and dc7800, Lenovo’s ThinkCentre a61e, and
Dell’s OptiPlex 755. As for laptops, the greenest current
models include Dell’s Latitude D630, the Everex Zonbu, Fujitsu’s
LifeBook S6510, and Toshiba’s Tecra A9-S9013.
Perhaps more important than the green-ness of your new computer
is what you do with the old one. Stuffing it into the trash
or setting it out for curbside pick-up may be the worst thing
you can do with an outdated computer, as heavy metals and
other toxins inevitably get free and get into surrounding
soils and water. If the machine still works, donate it to
a local school that can put it to use, or to Goodwill or the
Salvation Army, either of which can re-sell it to help fund
their programs. Another option is to donate it to the National
Cristina Foundation, which places outdated technology with
needy nonprofits.
Once you’ve gotten rid of an old computer and outfitted
yourself with a spiffy new green one, you might just want
to score a few green accessories. Brooklyn, New York’s
Verdant Computing, which bills itself as a purveyor of “the
greenest computer products on the web,” sells remanufactured
ink and toner cartridges, laptop cases made from recycled
plastic, GreenDisk CDs packaged in recycled plastic jewel
cases, solar-powered MP3 accessories, energy-saving printers
and even a software program, GreenPrint, which modifies the
print programs on your computer to economize on paper and
ink/toner use. Verdant also has most products shipped to consumers
directly from the manufacturers to save re-shipping.
CONTACTS: Greenpeace International, greenpeace.org;
PC Magazine, pcmag.com;
National Cristina Foundation, cristina.org;
Verdant Computing, verdantcomputing.com.
|
|
WINNER
- Website of the Year 
