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| Toshiba Expands Recycling Program Toshiba has enhanced its recycling initiatives with a free computer take-back program. The company has also joined the Green Electronics Council's Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool by registering select notebook models with EPEAT, extending Toshiba's commitment to the environment. To keep computers out of dumpsters and landfills, Toshiba offers to recycle its notebook computers for free with no obligation by the consumer to purchase a new Toshiba computer. Non-Toshiba notebook computers will be recycled for a small shipping fee. Toshiba's recycling and computer take-back initiatives are large and responsible strides to protect the environment. Proper recycling techniques ensure that minimal damage will be done to the environment as a result of improper disposal. The Green Electronics Council estimates that over the next five years EPEAT-registered computers will positively contribute to the reduction of more than 13 million pounds of hazardous waste, more than 3 million pounds of non-hazardous waste, and save more than 600,000 Megawatts of energy – enough energy to power 60,000 homes for a year. EPEAT is a procurement tool that enables purchasers to evaluate and select computers and monitors based upon their environmental attributes. As an EPEAT member, Toshiba submitted the Tecra A8 and the Tecra M5, two of the company's best-selling computers, for analysis and registration. In particular, the Tecra A8 embodies high quality and demonstrates that environmental considerations and product performance can be simultaneously achieved. To be registered with EPEAT, Toshiba's notebooks are required to meet the IEEE 1680-2006 standard, the first U.S. voluntary environmental guidelines for institutional purchasing decisions involving notebook and desktop computers and monitors. Regarding the European Union environmental directives, Toshiba has unveiled its first RoHS-compatible notebook, the Tecra S3, for the business channel in October 2005, a full 10 months prior to the RoHS standard taking effect. Toshiba also introduced the first RoHS-compatible notebook at retail with the Satellite A55-S1064 at Wal-Mart in December 2005. write your comments about the article :: © 2007 Computing News :: home page |