Green Electronic Council (GEC) based in the United States, now offers users the opportunity to see the impact of their computer equipment on the environment. Called EPEAT (Environmental Assessment Tool Electronic Product), the tool contains over 1000 products, such as computer monitors, desktops and notebooks.
Launched in 2006 only for the U.S. market, the site has been developed to adapt to foreign markets, especially in Europe. Today, more than 40 countries access to directories with the degree of environmental respectability of several information materials. For France, 136 products marketed in the country were evaluated.
Each unit is rated according to evaluation criteria set by the manufacturers of electronics, environmental organizations, organizations of health protection of consumers and professionals recycling and the environmental characteristics specific to each country.
In total, more than 50 criteria are scrutinized as the life cycle, the use of toxic materials or energy efficiency. The products are then given a bronze medal, silver or gold according to their respect for the environment. Users can view these rankings before buying a product.
I really think that there is a negative effect of computers on our environment and also to the people using it. We cant immedietly see it but in the long run it will come out. More time exposure on computers is really bad for your health.