According to the SVTC, Dell has definitely improved its approach to recycling -- climbing from the bottom rung of the environmental group's annual report card last year to second place in 2004. "This transformation is largely due to the company's launch of a domestic recycling programme and the elimination of prison labour for processing hazardous waste."
HP, which achieved the top slot in the SVTC report card, is also keen to be seen as proactive on the recycling front. Last year, it launched an e-coupon scheme in the US. This rewarded customers with up to $100 off the purchase of any new product on its ecommerce site, hpshopping.com, when recycling hardware from any manufacturer through its recycling service.
Hazardous waste
HP also claims to recycle an average of 3.5 million pounds of equipment each month in the US. But although this figure is laudable, it is hard to gauge how effective the company's efforts are because it currently does not track returned and recycled products against sales numbers.
Overall, the SVTC claims that PC vendors have a long way to go before their approach to recycling and disposal is up to snuff. The group claims that most of the changes implemented by the likes of HP and Dell are being driven by policy and consumer pressure. "It a thousand mile journey begins with a first step, then the journey toward environmental sustainability begins with manufacturers taking responsibility for the environmental performance of their products, from the design stage to recycling and disposal," said SVTC spokesperson Ted Smith.
From purchase to disposal
IT managers mainly concerned with buying the next new shiny piece of equipment may need to accommodate the idea of managing the complete life-cycle of these products, from purchase to disposal. The WEEE directive, a draft regulation of which is expected on 14 June, will have the biggest initial impact, and should set strict targets on how users should recycle their equipment and how components can be used.
"Enterprises should think of PC disposal as an integral part of their equipment's life cycle management. The problem will get worse before it gets better. The life cycle of a PC can be managed cost-effectively without too many unpleasant legal surprises and in terms of total cost of ownership, but only if planned from the acquisition onward," advises Gartner.
Talkback
Put it another way - the Y2K legacy will create a bonus for cash-strapped businesses, and home users.
Go to any computer fair and for £50 you can buy Dell and Compaq systems that were originally bought in 1999.
They take cheap memory, are easily upgradable and are capable of running Windows 2000 and supporting most modern applications.
None of them need go on landfill sites.