GreenMachineShop.com

A “Computer Manufacturer” is merely a computer assembler, basically all “waste” at the manufacturer is packaging materials, and maybe some product that showed up from the manufacturer and doesn’t work and is not worth repairing.

The manufacturing of the electronics, enclosures, etc. usually happens in plants that are not regulated by environmental manufacturing processes. They manufacture components that fulfill regulations in the destination country, but the way how they are manufactured is not regulated.

So what does it mean?
Not Much.
Alright, the heavy metals are gone. They use lead-free solder.

But what else?

If a manufacturer announces that they comply to ROHS (Restriction on Hazardous Substances) and WEEE (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment) directive, or the newer EPEAT, which is kind of a combination of the two, what does it mean?

None of those directives regulates any of the toxic and carcinogenic substances commonly used in electronics manufacturing. Also, they regulate waste treatment after the end of product life, not waste treatment of the manufacturing process.

Complying with environmental regulations is easy when most of the substances are not regulated. In most places in the world, manufacturing is “easy” … all the toxic stuff just blows out into the air, seeps into the ground, or ends up in surface landfills.

To find out more about the toxins and cancer causing substances used in computers, and how you can avoid most of them, sign up for our Free E-Class “Secrets of Healthier Computing”