CeBIT 2010: Protecting climate and resources with Green IT

Eco-design, longer use and high-standard recycling are keys to success

The Federal Environment Agency (UBA) will be present with information about green information and communications technology, also known as green IT, at the CeBIT computer trade fair held 2-6 March 2010 in Hannover. Visitors to the booth in Hall 8 will learn about the environmental strain caused by computers and the like and how it can be relieved. One example: the production of a single new laptop requires an average 900 kilos of raw materials, almost 4,000 litres of water, and produces about 600 kilos of carbon dioxide emissions (calculated in CO2 equivalents). Our little electronic helpers are real heavyweights in ecological terms, which is why high-standard recycling as well as ecological design are important. The professional approach to this will be shown by UBA in cooperation with recycling experts from the Fujitsu Technology Solutions company through use of a live recycling loop for laptops and TFT monitors.
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Some 600,000 tonnes of electrical and electronic waste is incurred every year in Germany. Scrap heaps are harbours of real treasures: in addition to gold and platinum, there are many other rare metals that must be recovered as they become ever scarcer and more expensive. Take the metal indium, for example, of which experts believe the economically viable supply will only last until 2035.  An interactive world map at the UBA booth will be showing which other key raw materials (mainly metals) are in a laptop and how long their supplies will last.

The mountains of waste are also host to huge potential in terms of information and communication technology (ICT) that is still functional. UBA is also making an appeal for proper recycling to ensure the longest use of equipment possible. Market incentives should give these devices a second life.

Green IT already starts at the design phase of ICT. Producers who offer innovative products with more energy efficiency and which protect resources are in demand. Anyone seeking orientation guidance about what is on the market can not miss the Blue Angel eco-label. The Federal Environment Agency shows which criteria computers must meet to receive the Blue Angel. Besides making ICT itself greener, ICT applications can also play a key role in climate and resource protection, for one in intelligent transportation systems and storage of energy in the grid. 

The Federal Environment Agency booth is in Hall 8 at CeBIT 2010, held from 2-6 March in  Hannover (fairgrounds).

German Environment Agency

Wörlitzer Platz 1
06844 Dessau-Roßlau
Germany

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 environmental strain  Computer  electronic waste  energy efficiency