Green Computing
Green Computing is the redesign of technological systems to reduce the use of energy, natural materials, and hazardous substances. Green IT increases profit margin and employee satisfaction while limiting your impact on the environment. A New View audit of your existing IT infrastructure is the first step to increased cost savings and sustainable business practice. Our approach includes the following:
- Baselining
- Impact on ROI
- Vendor Selection Criteria
- Hardware Purchasing Standards
- Telecommuting
Some Facts
Information-age technology is not a clean industry; a single PC consumes about 1800 pounds of raw materials
and generate 139 pounds of waste including lead, mercury, cadmium, and hexavalent chromium. All of these
chemicals are linked to high rates of cancer and birth defects. Currently, eWaste accounts for
40 percent of the lead, 70 percent of the heavy metals, and a significant portion of the organic chemical
pollutants in our dumps and landfills.
Power consumption is also a major cost associated with electronic equipment. The typical PC system uses between 150 and 250 watts of power, and costs about $100 per year to operate in electricity costs alone. Servers are much more resource intensive; in fact, the electricity bill for operating a typical low-end server is now larger than the its initial price tag.
Power consumption is also a major cost associated with electronic equipment. The typical PC system uses between 150 and 250 watts of power, and costs about $100 per year to operate in electricity costs alone. Servers are much more resource intensive; in fact, the electricity bill for operating a typical low-end server is now larger than the its initial price tag.
Regulations and Standards
California became the first state to impose an advance recovery fee (ARF) on the sale of electronic products; the fees collected go to fund the recycling program. And in Maine, computer manufacturers will be held responsible for the handling and recycling of computer monitors. At least 26 other states have introduced eWaste legislation.
The EPEAT standard is the first to supply environmental guidelines for institutional purchasing decisions involving desktop and laptop computers and monitors. It offers criteria in eight categories - materials selection, environmentally sensitive materials, design for end of life, end-of-life management, energy conservation, product longevity and life-cycle extension, packaging, and corporate performance.
