Computer Manufacturers Meet EPEAT "Green" Standards

July 24, 2006

Three manufacturers, Hewlett-Packard, Dell and CTL Corp., were recognized by the U.S. EPA for meeting the new environmentally- friendly EPEAT (Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool) computer standard. All EPEAT-registered computers have ...

Adrienne Selko

Between these three companies, 60 products made the list including desktop computers, laptops and monitors.

"EPEAT makes it possible for purchasers to identify and buy green computers, laptops, and monitors," said James Gulliford, assistant administrator for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Office of Prevention, Pesticides and Toxic Substances.

The three-tiered EPEAT rating system includes 23 required criteria and 28 optional criteria including: EPA's Plug-In Guidelines for Materials Management, Rechargeable Battery Recycling Coalition recommendations, Coalition of North Eastern Governors Model Toxics in Packaging Legislation, European Union (EU) restriction on hazardous substances (RoHS), EU Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment requirements (WEEE), EU battery directives and various global environmental labeling standards.

Over the next 5 years the EPA estimates that purchases of EPEAT registered computers will result in reductions of more than 13 million pounds of hazardous waste and 3 million pounds of non-hazardous waste. It will also save around 600,000 MWh of energy -- enough to power 6 million homes.

"As part of HP's longstanding commitment to the environment, HP is particularly proud that our 32 business products on the registry met EPEAT standards without any alteration to their original design, " said Jeri Callaway, HP's North America, general manager of commercial solutions, personal systems group.

For a list of the products meet the new EPEAT "green" computer standard see the database at http://69.94.134.185/epeat/

About the Author

Adrienne Selko | Senior Editor

Focus: Workforce, Talent

Follow Me on Twitter: @ASelkoIW

Bio: Adrienne Selko has written about many topics over the 17 years she has been with the publication and currently focuses on workforce development strategies. Previously Adrienne was in corporate communications at a medical manufacturing company as well as a large regional bank. She is the author of Do I Have to Wear Garlic Around My Neck? which made the Cleveland Plain Dealer's best sellers list. She is also a senior editor at Material Handling & Logistics and EHS Today.

Editorial mission statement: Manufacturing is the enviable position of creating products, processes and policies that solve the world’s problems. When the industry stepped up to manufacture what was necessary to combat the pandemic, it revealed its true nature. My goal is to showcase the sector’s ability to address a broad range of workforce issues including technology, training, diversity & inclusion, with a goal of enticing future generations to join this amazing sector.

Why I find manufacturing interesting: On my first day working for a company that made medical equipment such as MRIs, I toured the plant floor. On every wall was a photo of a person, mostly children. I asked my supervisor why this was the case and he said that the work we do at this company has saved these people’s lives. “We never forget how important our work is and everyone’s contribution to that.” From that moment on I was hooked on manufacturing.

I have talked with many people in this field who have transformed their own career development to assist others. For example, companies are hiring those with disabilities, those previously incarcerated and other talent pools that have been underutilized. I have talked with leaders who have brought out the best in their workforce, as well as employees doing their best work while doing good for the world.