green computing

HP Expands Planet Partners Recycling Program

jplatt — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 09:00:00 -0500

HP long ago earned my support thanks to its commitment to recycling its used printer ink and toner cartridges and their use of recycled materials in producing new cartridges. But now they've gone a step further, with a major enhancement to their eco-efforts.

HP recently announced it has teamed with Staples to pilot a retail expansion of their recycling program. Under the program, customers can return their used ink cartridges to Staples stores instead of mailing them back to HP (the company includes free return envelopes with every new cartridge). HP says that this effort will result in huge material savings and improved efficiency: "If all ink cartridges returned via in-box envelopes in 2008 were instead returned in bulk from authorized retail recycling locations, the amount of shipping materials used would have been reduced by more than 600,000 pounds – enough to fill more than 15 tractor trailers." Meanwhile, HP says "Twice as many cartridges can ship in the same amount of space via bulk retail returns rather than individual envelopes."

This is just the first step. HP says it will name additional retail partners next year, so you don't need to drive all the way to a Staples store just to help make these efficiencies a reality.

HP has already recycled more than 250 million cartridges, and is also doubling the size of its recycling facility to accommodate demand.

All of which reminds me: I just put a new cartridge in my inkjet printer, which means it's time to pop my old cartridge in the mail. HP, keep an eye out for it.

Dude, Now It's Even Easier to Recycle Your Dell

jplatt — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 08:00:00 -0500

Got an older Dell computer or printer you want to recycle? Dell has a long-standing recycling program, where you can return any older Dell product by mail. But now it has gotten even easier to recycle your old Dell devices locally, thanks to a deal the computer company has made with Staples, the office-supply retailer.

Under the new program, users can bring any Dell-branded product -- that includes computers, monitors, printers and more -- to any Staples store for free recycling.

Staples already offered free recycling for many small electronics, like cell phones, but previously charged $10 for larger items like computers and printers. Those items will now be free to recycle -- as long as they were made by Dell.

Free -- that's always a good deal!

How Businesses Can Save 25% on Energy Costs: HP Introduces Tech to Cap Power Use of Data Centers

jplatt — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 08:00:00 -0500

Data centers and servers take up an increasingly large slice of the average company's electricity expenses. But HP has an idea on how to make those data centers more efficient.

Their new technology is called HP Dynamic Power Capping. Essentially, it lets IT managers decide the upper amount of energy specific servers will use, and "cap" that server at a lower energy level than it might otherwise demand.

HP says this more efficient energy management can result in savings of 25%.

Dynamic Power Capping had already been preloaded on many HP servers, but this is the first time that it is available on its own, as an add-on to any existing physical or virtual server. License fees range from $399 to $549 -- not too bad for what could amount to a substantial power savings.

CherryPal's 'Green' Computer Finally Ships Next Week

jplatt — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 10:07:48 -0400

Months after it was first announced, I'm sure many people had given up waiting for the CherryPal, a desktop PC with no moving parts that promised to use just 2 watts of power.

Well guess what? The CherryPal SSD C114 ships next week -- at a bargain-basement price of just $249.

It will take some time for reviews to come in, but until then, let's look at the innovations that are expected with this tiny-but-powerful machine:

It uses just 2 watts of power -- 98% less than the 114 watts used by the average desktop computer.
It has no moving parts, so the company says it will last for up to ten years.
It uses 80% fewer parts, so less waste is created in its manufacture.

The CherryPal has a few other features of note. It boots up in just 20 seconds (no more wasted time and energy during the start-up phase). Most of the software isn't located on the hard drive; it's on the Internet, so you have fewer worries about upgrades and downloads (good luck using the PC if your Internet is out, though). It comes with a wide range of open-source programs, so it's ready for use right out of the box. And it doesn't make any sound, which is something I wish could be said of all computers.

Obviously, with a price of just $249, the CherryPal doesn't come with a monitor, and you can't seem to buy one directly from CherryPal, so that's one more item that needs to be packaged and shipped, but if you're buying a green computer, you probably have a green monitor in mind, too.

Worth a look!

Apple Introduces Its Greenest MacBook Ever

jplatt — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 09:43:20 -0400

How green is the new MacBook? Apple says the laptop computer uses "one quarter the power of a single lightbulb" when it's running. That's not too shabby.

Of course, Apple doesn't say if they mean a CFL bulb or an incandescent, but even so, the green innovations in this new MacBook are definitely worth celebrating.

Let's look at the 13-inch screen first. The computer is free of dangerous chemicals often used in monitors, like PVC, mercury, arsenic and brominated flame retardants. It also employs an LED backlit display, which uses far less energy than other LCD screens.

On the manufacturing and shipping side, the MacBook is made with fewer parts, making it easier to assemble and recycle. Packaging has been significantly reduced (by 41%!) and uses more recycled materials.

There are also several innovations on the hardware and software side that help the computer use far less electricity.

All of these innovations helped the new MacBook earn both an Energy Star rating for energy efficiency and an EPEAT Gold rating for efficiency, manufacturing processes and recyclability.

The new MacBook starts at just $1,299 -- a bit high, not bad for a pretty tricked out laptop. Worth a look.

Can You Write a Cell-Phone Program That Will Save the World?

jplatt — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 08:00:00 -0400

Every generation of cell phones gets smarter, more powerful, and capable of connecting us in new and different ways. In fact, some mobile phones are so powerful they aren't even called "cell phones" anymore -- they're "smart phones."

And as Stan Lee famously said, "with great power comes great responsibility."

Nokia and inventor Dean Kamen (creator of the Segway) have teamed up to fund a contest to find the next big thing in mobile programs (called applications), with one of the categories specifically calling for eco-related apps. Winners get a $25,000 prize for the creating best new mobile applications “that enhance the use of mobile devices in real-world scenarios.”

Here are the three categories:

Eco-Challenge - "Make a Difference": Developers who submit for this category will be building tools to help people take care of the environment - from charger reminders to mobile learning applications, from navigation info to recycling tips.

Emerging Markets - "IMAGINE the Possibilities": The mission of the Emerging Markets Challenge is to open up new opportunities for developers to pioneer & monetize services impacting the daily lives of millions in developing nations. Examples include applications providing health information and data access, apps offering low-cost infotainment, SMS-driven apps that inform rural agricultural workers of the best time and place to bring products to market, as well as literacy and general education solutions.

Technology Showcase - "Developer Showdown": Open to all technologies, if it runs on S60 or Series 40, then we want to see it! Regardless if it has just been created or you have been selling it for a while, casual or commercial, we want to showcase the best of the best. Be it on Flash Lite, Java, Python, or open source. If it’s a game, enterprise solution, Web-based widget, or just a cool application that will enhance the mobile user experience, then this is the category to enter.

What do you think mobile applications can do to help make the world a better place? And can you write the next great mobile app? If so, Nokia and Dean Kamen are waiting to hear from you.

Entries are due December 15th.

New Rechargeable Battery Plugs Into Your Computer

jplatt — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 09:00:00 -0400

Have you already made the switch to recycleable batteries? Good, we knew that you did. We were just checking.

But here's another question: are you getting tired of carrying a battery charger with you when you travel, or searching for your charger when you need it every few months?

Moixa Energy has a solution. Their new USBCELL rechargeable batteries come with what you might call a pop top -- one end of the battery swivels off to reveal a USB plug. Just hook it into any USB port on a PC or laptop and your computer does the work of recharging the battery!

According to a recent article at GreentechMedia, there is a small cost to pay for this convenience: the USB plug takes up space that would normally hold power. As a result, the USBCELL holds 1300-1500 milliamp hours, as opposed to the 2500 in a regular nickel metal hydride battery.

Oh, one other possible inconvenience: USBCELL comes with a bit of software that could, depending on how it is configured by the manufacturer, pop up ads or energy-saving tips on your PC every time you plug the battery in.

So far, Moixa's batteries are only available in AA size. They ship from the UK, and run £10.99 for a set of 2 batteries (with delivery, that translates to $20). You can also get a "gift set" of 20 batteries for about $165.

Green Your Workspace with New Online Tool

jplatt — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 09:00:00 -0400

One of my core beliefs is that one person can make a difference. That's true at home, in the community, at play or at work.

Speaking of work, the EPA's ENERGY STAR program has launched a great new website called Energy Star @ Work. It offers any employee, executive, building manager or small business the tools and information they need to make their office and workplace greener and more energy efficient.

Some of the recommendations are nothing new -- use CFL bulbs, for example -- and others are obvious choices for the sponsor of the site -- buy ENERGY STAR qualified monitors. But the site is full of all kinds of other ideas that look at everything from heating and cooling and reducing waste to setting up "green teams" at work.

One of the site's highlights is an interactive tour of the average office, which offers some unexpected ways to save energy.

Check out the Energy Star @ Work site at http://www.energystar.gov/work. It's worth a look, and it could help you make a difference.

Lenovo Introduces Six New Green Computer Monitors

jplatt — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 09:00:00 -0400

Lenovo this week announced six new energy-efficient computer monitors in its ThinkVision product line.

The LCD monitors, which go on sale soon, have a fairly wide range of environmental innovations. All use various techniques to reduce their power consumption by 30-60%. The monitors are also EPEAT Gold rated and GREENGUARD certified, according to the company, and some are packaged in 65% recycled materials.

On the low end of these new monitors, Lenovo's new L1700p (available next week at $239.99) uses 30% less power and 50% less mercury compared to other models on the market. On the higher end, the L2440x (available soon at $749.99) will actually be made without mercury, a real step forward for LCD screens.

The L2440x news doesn't stop there: it will use LED backlighting to further reduce its energy use, down to just 29 watts. Wow.

Some of these models are already available from Lenovo's web store. Check 'em out.

Apple Continues Greening Trend with Newest iPod

jplatt — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 10:54:41 -0400

Apple isn't the greenest company on the planet -- but it's constantly making improvements.

The company's latest step is this week's announcement of its "cleanest" iPod yet, the newest version of the iPod nano. The device is manufactured with arsenic-free glass; contains no Brominated Flame Retardants (BFR), mercury or PVC; and is said to be highly recyclable because it is made with aluminum and glass.

"We want to be just really environmentally sensitive with these products. We ship a lot of them," said Apple CEO Steve Jobs. "We're constantly worried about reducing the size of the packaging and the transportation carbon that we spend to move these around the world. But the biggest thing we worry about are the toxics."

Greenpeace has long criticized Apple for not being environmentally friendly enough (see their old "Green My Apple" campaign, a name Apple itself has co-opted to embody its environmental mission). But the environmental group praised Apple's announcement, while also calling on Apple to continue to go greener with their computers and iPhones.

The new fourth-generation iPod nano will be available this month in two models: 8GB for $149, and 16GB for $199. Macworld has a complete review.