Environmental challenges in computer manufacturing

The purpose of this research is to examine the environmental policies and p rograms that have been instituted by four large computer manufacturers. The se environmental concerns, while not highly publicized, present an extremel y important challenge to computer manufacturers, as well as to our society in general. Though the environmental programs of these computer manufacture rs have been in place for several years, the topic of environmental health and safety (EHS) in computer manufacturing is still a relatively new one. F our major computer manufacturers that have instituted environmental program s are selected in this research. Their environmental policies and programs are examined in detail and compared with each other to show the relative st rength and weakness. The result of this research highlights that with the a mazing growth of computer use for both business and in our daily life, it w ill only be a matter of time before the issue - the environmental challenge s in computer manufacturing - gains prominence and exposure in our society on a large-scale basis. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.