Dell commits to 'greener' PCs, laptops

New Delhi, June 27: As a result of a sustained pressure from Greenpeace's international 'Tox-Tech' campaign, computer giant Dell has announced that it will remove key toxic chemicals from its PCs laptops and other products.

The commitment from Dell followed on the heels of a similar commitments made by other international electronics manufacturers made earlier this year, a statement by the environmental NGO said here today.

Greenpeace had been campaigning to pressure electronics manufacturers into making products that were more environmentally-friendly and taking responsibility for the mounting toxic e-waste crisis.

Dell had placed a corporate pledge on its website committing to phasing out the use of two key groups of chemicals known to be hazardous to the environment -- all types of Brominated Flame Retardants (BFRs) and the Plastic Polyvinyl Chlorine (PVC) by 2009.

''Dell's decision to remove these harmful chemicals from its products reflects a move within the electronics industry in the right direction,'' said Zeina al-Hajj from Greenpeace International, ''Companies are beginning to wake up to the fact that consumers expect the industry to live up to its responsibilities, and ensure that when products reach the end of their life, they do not become hazardous waste that contaminate the environment.''

In India, Greenpeace had been campaigning to convince electronics manufacturer Wipro to lead Indian industry in keeping with the international trend; Hewlett Packard, LG, Nokia, Samsung, Sony and Sony Ericsson had already made commitments to eliminate the use of some hazardous chemicals in the near future.

''Wipro positions itself as an innovator and industry leader, but has failed to respond to an important industrial shift,'' said Greenpeace India toxics campaigner Vinuta Gopal.

''Increasing awareness of the electronic waste issue has led computer users around the world to drive this need for change... It is high time Wipro recognises this and takes responsibility for its products from cradle to grave.'' According to an international survey conducted by Ipsos-MORI for Greenpeace International, most people across nine countries said they would pay extra for a more environmentally friendly PC and that companies should be held responsible for dealing with hazardous waste from PCs, rather than expecting users, retail shops or their government to pay.

Greenpeace believed that manufacturers of electronic goods, who had benefited from sales of their products, should take responsibility for them from production through to the end of their lives.

To prevent an e-waste crisis, manufacturers must design clean electronics with longer lifespan, that were safe and easy to recycle and did not expose workers and the environment to hazardous chemicals, it added.

UNI