Tech Coalition Backs Electricity Conservation

A coalition led by Google and Intel and including Dell, Hewlett-Packard (HP), Hitachi, IBM, Lenovo, Microsoft, Sun and Yahoo, is backing a plan to make computers and servers more energy efficient. The plan aims to cut the amount of electricity computers use by one-half by making them more energy efficient. Currently, most computers lose about one-half of the power it uses and servers lose about one-third.

It is expected that making them more efficient will raise prices slightly, but save consumers more on their electricity bill.

The Good and Bad of Electronics Recycling

This article speaks of HP and Dell's efforts to recycle as much of their products as possible. It also mentions how a great deal of computers returned for recycling (not from Dell or HP) are sent overseas and dismantled by workers there, exposing these workers to hazardous materials and polluting nearby soil.

While the article also mentions how some activist groups are critical of the level of recycling that goes on, it seems to me that the trend is in favor of the levels of recycling continuing to increase.

What is needed, it seems, is the levels of nonhazardous materials in electronics to continue to increase.

Dell to Receive Environmental Award

Tonight, Dell will be awarded the National Recycling Coalition's Recycling Works Award due to Dell's efforts to make it easier for its customers to recycle Dell products. Two initiatives cited in this Dell press release include (text below taken directly from the press release):

"Free Consumer Global Recycling: Dell is the only computer manufacturer that offers consumers no-charge recycling services for its own branded computer equipment globally without requiring new product purchases. Dell completed the rollout of its global recycling policy in December 2006.

Reconnect Program: Through Dell's alliance with Goodwill Industries in several markets, consumers can donate unwanted electronics of any brand in any condition at Goodwill intake sites.

All equipment collected is handled under Dell's product-recovery guidelines. The program is currently available in Central and South Texas, San Diego and San Francisco, the state of Michigan, western North Carolina and the Pittsburgh area.

Asset Recovery Services: Dell offers product recovery services that help business and institutional customers responsibly manage the retirement of used IT equipment. In 2006, Dell increased products recovered from customers for reuse or recycling, as measured by weight, by 72 percent compared to the previous year. The company has set a goal to recover 125 million kilograms (about 275 million pounds) of product from customers by 2009.

Computer Donation. Through Dell's partnership with the National Cristina Foundation, customers can donate any working computer system to non-profit organizations in their areas. NCF matches consumer donations to local not-for-profit organizations, public agencies and schools. The program is available throughout the U.S., Canada, the United Kingdom, Ireland, France and major markets in Brazil."

Intel, IBM Separately Announce Smaller, More Energy Efficient Chips

Both Intel and IBM announced they have found a way to reduce the amount of energy loss from chips as the technology evolves to smaller and smaller chips. Neither company disclosed the level of increased energy efficiency. Only Intel reported actual performance measures - they claim their breakthrogh allows for a 20 percent increase in performance.

See here for more information.