Electronics: Ecological impact

Electronic devices, including computers, are increasingly used by society and therefore have an effect on the environment due to increasing volumes of waste, harmful gases and increasing energy consumption. The manufacturing, use, and disposal of electronic devices all create a number of Wikipedia:environmental issues.

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Manufacturing process

Wikipedia:Nitrogen trifluoride is a greenhouse gas (WP) used in the production of integrated circuits (silicon chips) which has a global warming potential 17,200 times greater than that of CO₂ when compared over a 100 year period. However, it is not a significant percentage of the total greenhouse gas emissions.

Mitigation

See also: Wikipedia:e-Cycling and Wikipedia:Green computing

Lobbying

Recognition of the problems presented by electronic waste has led to lobbying by environmental organisations. These include the Wikipedia:Silicon Valley Toxics Coalition, Wikipedia:Basel Action Network and Wikipedia:Greenpeace.

See also

• Wikipedia:Biodegradable electronics
• Wikipedia:Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool (EPEAT)
• Wikipedia:Sustainable Electronics Initiative (SEI)

• List of environmental issues

Further reading

• Energy Use and Power Levels in New Monitors and Personal Computers. Energy Analysis Department Environmental Energy Technologies Division Ernest Orlando Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory University of California.

External links

• Green Electronics Council
• Sustainable Electronics Initiative
• Greener Electronics at Greenpeace