Ziptrek Ecotours

Computers: Friend or Foe?

December 2010

Resources that contribute to our knowledge about sustainable living are prolific: newspapers, magazines, posters, fundraisers, public campaigns and of course the most significant information portal, our computers. Computers represent a gateway, an easy to use limitless source of information of publications, announcements, articles and blogs which help inform us about the current state and future of sustainable decision making.

But are these pertinent and useful tools themselves contributing to environmental problems?

It is indisputable that we, the North American population, love sexy technology. Computers become thinner and sleeker every year, with faster speeds, more memory and new programs. As this technology morphs and improves continuously, it renders our old equipment obsolete. Often computers that are still fully functional are tossed in the dump, replaced by those which are thinner, which will in turn be replaced with those which are even thinner and hot pink in a few years time.   

Despite this seemingly endless cycle, some companies have taken sustainability-oriented strides in order to meet the green demands of consumers. In 1992 the Energy Star program was initiated in the U.S. to promote the development and use of energy efficient electronics. Canada became a part of the program in 2002. Many computer manufacturers have achieved the Energy Star certification and promote it on their products. Along the same vein, many companies have proven dedicated to greening their computer products with initiatives such as decreased packaging, longer battery life, the use of recyclable materials, and reduced levels of flame retardants and heavy metals.

It is encouraging news that some companies are striving for greener products and processes; however we are still left with the looming issue of electronic waste (or e-waste) piling up in our landfills, or conversely being shipped overseas to developing countries.

Our desire for perpetual improvement in technology seems to be pushing us towards a future overloaded with e-waste. So what options are we left with? Clearly the first ‘R’ can play a roll: Reduce. Do we really need to be buying a new laptop every two years? An iPod every time a new Touch emerges?

The second ‘R’, too, can play a powerful role in the end-life of our electronic waste. In fact, there are some truly sustainable initiatives regarding the ethical e-waste dismantling and recycling taking place right here in Whistler, and Canada as a whole. At the well known and appropriately praised WCSS Re-Use-It Centre in Function Junction, end-of-life e-waste can be dropped off for recycling – a program run by Encorp Pacific. From the Re-Use-It-Centre the e-waste is shipped to a consolidation centre, and is sent from there to be recycled at one of the approved e-waste recycling depots within Canada. For details about what can be recycled and the process it undergoes, check out the WCSS website at http://www.mywcss.org/encorp-electronics.  

These types of initiatives are forward thinking and encouraging – so just remember to support them by taking in that so-last-week bulky desktop, versus putting it in the trash.

If the issue of E-waste peaks your interest, check out a powerful, Emmy award winning short documentary by Peter Klein and a group of graduate students from the University of British Columbia entitled Ghana: Digital Dumping Ground at www.pbs.org.

by: Alison McKenzie