Going Green Never Seemed So Clear
With technology at its fastest growing pace ever, now is the time to slow down and think about where we’re headed. Computers are one of the most ever-present devices today, but with constant change, developments, and improvements, they are also one of the most inefficient when it comes to long-term. Laptop computer sales are expected to surpass desktop sales in 2009 for the first time, which would reach over 150 million. The average staying power of a laptop is only three years, and then they are either put away (in a closet, desk, etc.) or dumped in a landfill. A recent article on Popsci.com tells us what some designers are planning to make this gadget less wasteful and more eco-friendly. The solutions cover the computer’s entire life span, from the manufacture to recycling in the end.
The first problem addressed is petroleum-filled plastic. The solution? Create cases from corn or other plant-based polymers that require less oil and energy to produce. The only problem would be the ability to resist heat from other electronics. Currently Fujitsu makes a laptop with a half natural and half conventional case. They are also testing an 80 percent bio-content caster-oil plastic case. One of the biggest and most noticeable problems is when computers are discarded into landfills. The solution here is to upgrade instead of trashing. It is estimated that Americans discard 19,000 tons of laptops each year, and that is only expected to increase. Laptop manufacturers are currently working on making upgrading easier and more affordable.
Another major factor in making computers more green is reducing power used for displays. An LCD uses more than half of a laptop's power. While some laptops are lit with more-efficient LEDs instead, it may be best to get rid of them altogether. Displays made of organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs), form images with electroluminescent films and may be the best bet for future power conservation of displays. Sucking power from the grid is also a problem that can be solved by using portable solar chargers suited for laptops. This currently exists, and a company called MSI Computer has even developed a prototype laptop with photovoltaic cells integrated directly into its case.
Toxic waste is also a big problem. This is where the law is getting involved, since there is a major concern that the devices could leak poisons after being dumped. So, now lead in solder is being replaced with silver and copper. Making recycling simpler will also eliminate, or at lease reduce, the waste problem. One of the best methods in doing this will be creating a digital parts list. This will help manufacturers to determine the inner workings of a computer without having to individually examine and dismantle the gadgets.
Switching to flash memory will be a great solution to a constant spinning hard drive. These drives are improving and expanding more and more each year, and in the future laptops could reduce their energy use by ten percent by replacing hard drives with flash memory. Last, but certainly not least, energy-intensive manufacturing is a key factor in the environmentally unfriendly creation of computers. The most obvious solution is to build more efficient factories. The Texas Instruments plant in
Hopefully within the next decade, we will be able to make one of our most ubiquitous gadgets from its fabrication, throughout the lifespan, to disposal and hopefully recycling environmentally sound.
