Environmental effects of a computer processor
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The environmental problems associated with computers are two-fold. High energy consumption
and highly toxic component materials are currently inherent characteristics of computers, thus
making their production, use and disposal ecologically unsound (Lee et al., 2004).
Unfortunately, due to their sheer global quantities and current product life of roughly two years,
the problems associated with such characteristics become greatly enhanced at an alarming rate
(Brennan et al., 2002). Zhang and Forssberg (1999) projected that by 2005, roughly 150 million
personal computers (PCs) and workstations will be disposed in landfills in the US alone. By this
same year, Gungor and Gupta (1999) predicted that every family in the US will own a computer,
and given the aforementioned product life of these systems, it appears that computers are being
disposed of as quickly as they are being produced.
Unfortunately, disposal in landfills is only the first step in a dangerous sequence of events
involving the breakdown and leaching of computer material components. Examples include lead,
barium, chromium and other endocrine and central nervous system disruptors (Baul, 2002).
Aside from hazardous wastes, the production and use of computers consumes vast amounts of
energy, thus further depleting fossil fuel reserves and playing an increasingly significant role in
climate change and global warming (Gungor and Gupta, 1999).
2.1.1 Energy Consumption
Globally speaking, the issue of energy consumption is one that involves all sectors and industries.
According to Norfold (1990) and Kawamoto (2002), electronic office equipment such as desktop
computers use significant amounts of electric power. A typical CPU uses 120 Watts (W = 1
joule/second) of electricity, while a CRT monitor consumes an added 150 W (United States
Department of Energy, 2005). This implies that a standard office computer which is left on 8
hours per day, for 5 days a week can consume up to 561.6 kW of fossil fuel derived energy.
However, this figure more than triples if such a computer is left on throughout the night or during
the entire week.
2.1.2 Physical Components and Toxins
Desktop computers generally consist of three major units: the main processing machine (CPU
consisting of power supplier, fan, IC boards, DVD drive, CD drive, hard disk, soft disk and shell
casing), the monitor and the keyboard (Lee et al., 2004). However, as demonstrated in Appendix
1, these major units are composed of various materials, which, in turn consist of a wide range of
chemicals, elements and heavy metals. Some of these materials, such as platinum, have a high
recovery and recycling efficiency (95%), while others cannot be recycled at all (e.g. mercury,
arsenic and barium). There are, however, two desktop components that represent the largest
environmental hazards with respect to bioavailability, monitors containing CRTs and flame
retardant plastics (Lee et al., 2004).
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and highly toxic component materials are currently inherent characteristics of computers, thus
making their production, use and disposal ecologically unsound (Lee et al., 2004).
Unfortunately, due to their sheer global quantities and current product life of roughly two years,
the problems associated with such characteristics become greatly enhanced at an alarming rate
(Brennan et al., 2002). Zhang and Forssberg (1999) projected that by 2005, roughly 150 million
personal computers (PCs) and workstations will be disposed in landfills in the US alone. By this
same year, Gungor and Gupta (1999) predicted that every family in the US will own a computer,
and given the aforementioned product life of these systems, it appears that computers are being
disposed of as quickly as they are being produced.
Unfortunately, disposal in landfills is only the first step in a dangerous sequence of events
involving the breakdown and leaching of computer material components. Examples include lead,
barium, chromium and other endocrine and central nervous system disruptors (Baul, 2002).
Aside from hazardous wastes, the production and use of computers consumes vast amounts of
energy, thus further depleting fossil fuel reserves and playing an increasingly significant role in
climate change and global warming (Gungor and Gupta, 1999).
2.1.1 Energy Consumption
Globally speaking, the issue of energy consumption is one that involves all sectors and industries.
According to Norfold (1990) and Kawamoto (2002), electronic office equipment such as desktop
computers use significant amounts of electric power. A typical CPU uses 120 Watts (W = 1
joule/second) of electricity, while a CRT monitor consumes an added 150 W (United States
Department of Energy, 2005). This implies that a standard office computer which is left on 8
hours per day, for 5 days a week can consume up to 561.6 kW of fossil fuel derived energy.
However, this figure more than triples if such a computer is left on throughout the night or during
the entire week.
2.1.2 Physical Components and Toxins
Desktop computers generally consist of three major units: the main processing machine (CPU
consisting of power supplier, fan, IC boards, DVD drive, CD drive, hard disk, soft disk and shell
casing), the monitor and the keyboard (Lee et al., 2004). However, as demonstrated in Appendix
1, these major units are composed of various materials, which, in turn consist of a wide range of
chemicals, elements and heavy metals. Some of these materials, such as platinum, have a high
recovery and recycling efficiency (95%), while others cannot be recycled at all (e.g. mercury,
arsenic and barium). There are, however, two desktop components that represent the largest
environmental hazards with respect to bioavailability, monitors containing CRTs and flame
retardant plastics (Lee et al., 2004).
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