Environmental cost of IT production lies with manufacturers

Computer Aid has released a report highlighting responsibilities that IT manufacturers have to the developing world

The environmental cost of IT production lies squarely at the door of the original equipment manufacturers, according to Computing’s charity partner Computer Aid, in a report it has just released.

The report, entitled, Green ICT: What producers must do, argued that 80 per cent of the energy used over a PC’s lifecycle is used before it is switched on for the first time.

For this reason, it argues that Green IT debates should focus on poor practices and pollution in production.

These malpractices can occur during the mining process, when excessive toxic chemicals are used in production, and when distribution chains are global. The report highlights the need to hold producers accountable for the environmental cost of computing.

Tony Roberts, Founder and CEO of Computer Aid International, said: “In Europe all ICT manufacturers including HP, Samsung, Nokia and Apple have a legal duty to fund the end-of-life recycling of equipment that they have produced.

"Within Europe manufacturers fulfill this requirement of corporate social responsibility and are justifiably proud of their green credentials.

"However, we would argue that they have exactly the same moral obligations where their products are sold in Africa, Asia and elsewhere.

"Most developing countries are entirely without the kind of facilities necessary to re-use and recycle ICTs and recover the precious metals and other composite materials before they pollute the environment and threaten public health and safety.”