March 8, 2006—The US Environmental Protection Agency has awarded a $375,000 a grant to the Green Electronics Council of Portland, Oregon to develop a system to help large corporate computer purchasers identify and select computers, laptops, and monitors meeting strict environmental criteria.
The council will receive $175,000 this year to create and maintain a green computer registry for corporate purchasers. Computer manufacturers will identify their products meeting set criteria and the council will confirm their claims. In June, the council will start to post registered products online. The grant will be made up of funds from EPA Headquarters, EPA’s Pacific Southwest Region and EPA’s office in New York. The EPA’s Pacific Southwest Regional office in San Francisco will manage the grant.
“Corporations want to purchase equipment that is environmentally sensitive, energy efficient and can be properly salvaged and disposed,” said Wayne Nastri, Regional EPAs regional administrator for the Pacific Southwest Region. “This program will give companies an easy way to identify green products that ensures they are making environmentally sound and cost effective purchases when buying computer equipment.”
The Electronic Products Environmental Assessment Tool, or EPEAT rating system, includes 23 required criteria and 28 optional performance criteria organized in the following product performance categories, including reduction and elimination of environmentally sensitive materials, materials selection and packaging, design for the end of usefulness and extending the life of a computer, and energy conservation.
The Green Electronics Council was founded in 2005 to inspire and support the effective design, manufacture, use and recovery of electronic products to contribute to a healthy, fair and prosperous world. Visit the Web site for more information.
