Shopping for a Green Computer

We all want to make the world a better place.  For many of us, the most effective way is to put our money where our mouths are.  So with that in mind, let’s tackle one item that we can all relate to.  Home computing.  The home PC (or mac) is something that we can’t live without and fondly think about replacing at least every few years.  With that in mind, let’s take a quick look at purchasing a green computer.

What makes a green computer “green”?

1. Environmentally friendly manufacturing process
2. The use of recycled packaging materials
3. Constructed from recycled or recyclable materials
4. Energy-efficient operation

Understanding these things is important, and companies are making an effort to share this information:

• Dell is standing out with the “Dell Earth” portion of their website.  In this area you can read about their corporate environmental initiatives.  Sadly, while they seem to be making great efforts in their manufacturing process and recycled packaging, there is no easy list of green machines.
• Apple has a line of “green” laptops which are not only “highly recyclable” but are also constructed with less toxins.  Check out their environmental status reports at the Green Notebooks area of their website.
• For people who like to read reviews, PCMAG.com has “Green Tech Approval” rating system for computers, which is based on energy efficiency, recyclability, and environmental certifications.  While you are there, you can also check out their Electronics Recycling Superguide.
• HP has a site for their environmental initiatives, located at HP Eco Solutions.  One thing that people might find interesting is their use of the Eco Highlight label on some of their products which lists the details of how the product meets certain environmental standards.

In the end though, we are the ones who control our environmental impact.  The computer companies are responsible for their manufacturing processes and materials that they utilize.  As consumers, we choose where to spend our money and how to use the things we purchase.  This includes using power saving features and choosing to recycle our components when we are done with them.

Happy green shopping!