The next time you head off to the local electronics store to buy a new desktop computer, laptop or monitor, consider purchasing a green one — that is, a computer that meets criteria established by EPEAT, or the Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool.
A program of the Green Electronics Council, based in Portland, Ore., EPEAT assesses computers and other consumer electronics products for compliance with 51 environmental criteria, divided into eight basic categories, including energy conservation, the reduction/elimination of environmentally sensitive materials, product longevity, packaging and recycling.
That means, in essence, an EPEAT-registered computer will have no toxic materials such as cadmium, chromium or mercury, will use recycled or bio-based materials in their manufacture, will be Energy Star compliant, and will come in packaging made from recycled content.
The benefits for consumers as well as the environment are huge. According to a Green Electronics Council report, during a six-month period in 2006 green computers saved 13.7 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity, saved 24.4 million metric tons of materials and prevented 56.6 million metric tons of air pollution. In addition, they prevented the disposal of 41,100 metric tons of hazardous waste. And, of course, they helped consumers save energy dollars, and helped make homes healthier.
Currently, more than 20 manufacturers have registered more than 600 computers and other electronics devices with EPEAT.� For a complete list of EPEAT-compliant computers, visit www.epeat.net .
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