March 08, 2004

a Computer for Life ?

An interesting BBC technology article on computers and the failure of manufacturers to make them 'greener'. I remember many years back the media already warned us about huge piles of computer garbage we'll face in years to come. Seems to me that not a lot was done about it since then. Manufacturers of course are under such immense innovative pressure that there is no incentive for them to make their hardware greener. At the end of the day, that's what would increase the price tag for their offerings and hence push them out off their markets.

In my opinion the only way out here is by both law inforcement and changes in customer behaviour. Manufacturers should be forced by law to accept and re-use old hardware. Consumers should be given more incentives about changing and reconfiguring their existing machines rather than dicarding their old and simply buying a completely new one. "A Computer for Life" , maybe ?

Posted by Michael at March 8, 2004 12:41 PM
Comments

There is such a thing as the WEEE directive from the EU. I think in that there is something about consumers being able to 'hand back' old computer equipment to the place where they bought it from or the people who made it. The idea being that if, for example, Apple make the computer, then they should also take it apart and dispose of it with minimul effect on the environment.

I good idea I think. But then I am reportedly a "tree hugger." :)

Posted by: Simon Jones at March 10, 2004 08:46 PM