PCs are bad for your health and our environment

A recent survey of 200 IT decision makers conducted by Netvoyager plc has shown that a staggering percentage of respondents were not aware of the Waste Electrical & Electronic Equipment Directive (WEEE) and the ones that did hear of it where not familiar with its objectives. This is an important directive that will be implemented by August 2005 and will affect manufacturers and buyers of IT equipment.

The reason for all this is that PCs and IT equipment generate tonnes of global waste each year, known as e-waste. All this e-waste is highly toxic and is disposed off by either dumping it in land fill sites or shipped to third world countries where it is either dumped in land fills there or processed unsafely.

The UK generated over 23,000 tonnes of e-waste last year. The UK government and other European environmental agencies are finding that a growing number of e-waste is being disposed off illegally. This illegal disposal of IT hardware is generating toxins, which is effecting our environment.

A typical desktop computer weighs an average of 26kg and contains many components and many toxins within. A typical breakdown is illustrated in the below table.

Other consideration of e-waste is the space it takes to physically store or bury them which is an attribute which is often forgotten.

So why is Netvoyager thin client desktop technology environmentally friendly and the smarter option?

In addition to their technical and strategic commercial benefits, Netvoyager thin client desktops have the following environmentally friendly attributes;

In addition, Netvoyager has a recycling programme for its existing products in circulation. Furthermore, from July 2006 all new Netvoyager products will have WEEE policy compliance.

Soft useful links:
www.basel.int
www.ban.org
www.dti.gov.uk/sustainability/weee
www.environment-agency.gov.uk