The world is consuming more electronic products every
year, and this has caused a dangerous increase in electronic scrap
(e-waste) containing toxic chemicals and heavy metals that cannot
be disposed of or recycled safely.
But this problem can be avoided. To prevent an e-waste crisis,
manufacturers need to design clean electronics with a longer
lifespan, which are safe and easy to recycle and will not expose
workers and the environment to hazardous chemicals. Manufacturers
of electronic goods should take responsibility for them from
production through to the end of their lives.
What IT directors can do
There are also some simple measures that IT directors can
undertake to help "green" the electronics sector. Aim to buy the
most environmentally sound equipment that meets the needs of your
office and ensure you put as little electronic equipment into the
waste stream as possible.
Put emphasis on leasing new products rather than buying them,
specifically for large items. This is a way to increase
manufacturer responsibility, as the products remain closer to the
producer's sphere of influence.
Businesses should buy IT equipment that has been designed to
allow:
- Upgradeability - expandable memory, modular design, owner
transferability
- Easy dismantling and recycling - avoiding glues and welded
connections, single-resin plastics, labelled plastics, universal
fasteners.
To reduce turnover, replace equipment only when it has been used
to the end of its useful life - when a product is beyond
financially reasonable repair or upgrade, or it cannot be used with
software that is considered standard in the office where the
equipment is being used.
Recycle in the business
Recycle computer equipment through the business to make the most
use of it. Give new equipment to high-end users first and then move
it down the line to those who require only word processing, e-mail
and basic internet browsing.
When you do need to discard electronic equipment, take all
available measures to ensure it is disposed of in the most
environmentally sound way possible.
Use disposal firms that:
- Recycle as much of the material as possible
- Have sound disposal policies for the parts that cannot be
reasonably recycled
- Protect their workers from the toxic materials in the
equipment
- Carry out disassembly and recycling domestically.
Use equipment for which the supplier offers a take-back
programme whenever it is feasible to do so.
Green your office further with basic steps such as ensuring
staff turn off their PCs at the end of the day. This will not only
help the fight against climate change by saving electricity, it
will reduce your power bill.
If we all work together and play our part while maintaining
pressure on companies and governments to clean up and green the
electronics sector, we can make huge improvements to the
environment.
Zeina Alhajj is a toxics campaigner at Greenpeace
International
Greenpeace has produced The Guide to Greener Electronics wit the
aim of providing up to date information on electronic companies and
their environmental policies. To download, visit
www.greenpeace.org/rankingguide.
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