| In this age of computer technology we need our | | | | any more of the air water and soil. |
| computers but it is fast becoming one of the worst | | | | 5. Computer use takes a lot of energy. It is one of the |
| polluter of the environment. Electronic companies are | | | | highest energy guzzlers. This too can be changed. |
| slowly moving towards environmental sustainability. We | | | | Manufacturer's can increase research to create |
| can encourage them by buying those equipments that | | | | computers that are l cutting edge but consume less |
| are the least damaging. Below I least eight reasons for | | | | energy. |
| doing so. | | | | 6. Manufacturers and retailers of electronics goods are |
| | | | too slow in considering the impact their product is |
| 1. Computers and other electronics are the fastest | | | | having on the environment at the end of its useful life. |
| growing solid waste filling the landfills. Surprisingly here | | | | Because of pressures from the public and |
| in the U.S. only 10% of electronics are recycled. This is | | | | environmental groups these companies have improved |
| mainly because people are not well informed on how | | | | their recycling and take back programs. But it is still not |
| to properly recycle their unwanted computers and | | | | as good as it could be. |
| other electronic gadgets. Most people simply dump | | | | 7. Hazardous electronic and computer waste are |
| their old computers in the trash. | | | | being shipped to poor countries illegally where they are |
| 2. Computers are still being made with too many toxic | | | | recycled in the most environmentally unsafe manner. A |
| materials and manufacturers are too slow in reducing | | | | good example is the town of Guiyu where most of |
| the amount of these hazardous chemicals. | | | | the illegal electronic waste shipped to China ends up. |
| 3. People on the average buy a new computer every | | | | This story was shown by 60 minutes a few months |
| two to three years because of the need to upgrade. | | | | ago. People are paid eight dollars an hour to dismantle |
| This is some time known as planned obsolescence. | | | | electronics with crude tools or their bare hands. They |
| Planned obsolescence is a manufacturing decision to | | | | use no protection against all the toxins and fumes that |
| make consumer products to last only so long. | | | | is generated. The air is filled with pollutants and the |
| Consumers will then go back to buy the new version | | | | town's river is a dark in color and unsafe to use. |
| of the products again and again. This is absolutely | | | | 8. If we the consumers demand that manufacturers |
| environmentally unsustainable. | | | | adhere to the strictest environmental guidelines, they |
| 4. It is possible to have a computer that serves our | | | | have no choice but to follow it. So we should vote with |
| need as well as be environmentally friendly and we | | | | our dollars by purchasing the most environmentally |
| should move in that direction quickly before we pollute | | | | friendly computers. |