Electronics are complex, and the many components and processes in their manufacture makes it tough to choose the most sustainable option. Adira Vasil, self-proclaimed ‘ecoholic’ at Toronto’s NOW Magazine, took on this challenge, with some interesting results.
To start with, by choosing a laptop over a desktop machine, you are already using around 50% less power.
Beyond that, Vasil turned to Greenpeace International’s Guide to Greener Electronics, which has been scoring electronic brands since 2006 on factors like energy use, climate policies/practices, toxin reduction, recycling programs and more.
Two brands available at London Drugs were worthy of mention – HP and Apple.
All Apple products are now totally free of PVC and BFRs*, and they all meet or exceed Energy Star standards. Though the world’s most valuable company still doesn’t do as well when it comes to using post-consumer recycled plastic and sustainable paper.
Apple does get top points for e-waste recycling, and along with HP earns top points for avoiding the conflict minerals that fuel Africa’s most brutal wars.
HP squeaked into the lead on the Greenpeace report, mostly because it’s been a leader in “sustainable operations” and measuring and reducing greenhouse gases. HP also won’t get any paper from illegally logged sources, and its notebooks are free of PVC, BFRs and mercury.
Not mentioned on the Greenpeace list, but worthy of consideration, is London Drugs’ own Certified Data brand of laptops, which are made to the RoHS standard (reduction of hazardous substances) This is a higher European standard of manufacturing, not legally required in North American market, that mandates lower levels of toxic substances in electronics manufacturing.
Whatever your choice of machine, make sure you select the best energy saving settings, and recycle it responsibly when it is at the end of its life. Of course, you can bring back any London Drugs electronics back to us for recycling as well as your old equipment if you are upgrading. We will also take back all your packaging for recycling, including the Styrofoam®.
That’s the real Green laptop Deal.
*Polyvinyl Chloride and Brominated Flame Retardants – PVC & BFR are chemicals known to release corrosive and toxic gases if ignited in a fire, or if improperly disposed.
