Green IT Toolkit
Story: Socitm urges councils to go green
EPEAT greener IT product ratings
For those looking to comply with the Socitm recommendations in short order, the EPEAT greener computer purchasing standard offers a highly useful tool for integrating environmental performance information into IT purchasing. EPEAT is a required criterion for US Federal Government purchasing, and dozens of other private and public purchasers are using it as a baseline to green their IT estates.
EPEAT ("Electronic Products Environmental Assessment Tool" - info at www.epeat.net) is a multi-attribute ranking system developed through a comprehensive stakeholder process, and formally adopted by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) as the IEEE 1680 Standard for Environmental Assessment of Personal Computer products (including laptop and desktop computers, and monitors). It is managed by a nonprofit organization and is open for use by any purchasing entity.
For more information on participating manufacturers and purchasers, and to search the product database, see www.epeat.net .
EPEAT registered products are high-performance business class computers and cost no more than conventional products. However, compared to traditional computer equipment, all EPEAT-registered
computers have reduced levels of toxic materials to better protect human health and the environment. They are more energy efficient, which reduces emissions of global warming greenhouse gases, and they are also easier to upgrade and recycle. Manufacturers must offer institutional purchasers safe and cost effective recycling options for EPEAT-registered products and their rechargeable batteries, even when sold outside WEEE jurisdictions. All companies registering products in EPEAT must also maintain environmental management systems and environmental reporting schemes.
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