Do Dell’s products rightfully deserved to be called green? And are they the only champion of computer industry whose mantra once used to be build more powerful computers/servers and gorge up hordes of power. So let’s see.

One of Dell’s big pushes was to build laptops whose displays used LED backlights. LEDs make a laptop more power efficient, and they contain no mercury. Other manufactureres have also taken notice and as of date, Toshiba, Apple, Acer and others have either already started using LED backlights or plan to introduce soon.

Another green campaign that been highly publicized is that Dell is officially, 100% carbon neutral. Some critics question this title, pointing to the fact that a large part of that “carbon neutral” tag comes from carbon offsets. Dell says that Austin headquarters is entirely run on renewable energy, as are the offices in Oklahoma City.

Ok, agreed! But what about the ever more important factor of overall power consumption per facility? You can continue to use renewable energy but if you are not reducing overall power consumption then you are missing something.

What I do like is the set of concerted efforts Dell has been taking to consider the overall lifetime of the computer. Dell offers the ONLY (YES ONLY) free consumer recycling and takeback program across the globe, and they also have developed a program called Reconnect with Goodwill Industries. This program not only allows people to donate their old computers rather than throw them away, but also provides jobs for people in the recycling industry.

Did somebody say ‘jobs’? You bet I did! I wish Obama (ok I went too far perhaps someone from Obama’s team would do as well) was reading this article and say “Geez! Why can’t other computer companies start this recycling program and create some jobs?” (This research report says computer reuse can potentially generate 296 jobs per 1000 TPY. Where TPY means tons per year, and this report is decade old)

Let’s all hope this happens! I for sure want free recycling on my laptop and if the economy doesn’t start to do well then perhaps I will need a job too!

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