Green Tech At CES

The Consumer Electronic Show (CES) will be wrapping up soon in Law Vegas. The huge convention brings consumer electronic and accessory makes together from all over the world to show off their wares. Lately the trend appears to be emphasizing thinner, lighter, more portable electronic equipment. There is also growth in the number of electronics that are easier on the environment.

Electronics makers and retailers are notoriously bad stewards of the environment. Most consumer electronics contain a great deal of toxic ingredients including lead and polyvinyl chloride (PVC). These products are churned out year after year with new technology that induces consumption but ignores the obvious side-effect of that consumption, waste. Very few companies have a reasonable recycling program and most consumers simply throw their old technology in the garbage where it is left to leak all that nasty stuff into our water supply.

To offset the impacts of that bad behavior, tech companies have created some greener products this year. One corporation, Marvell, has created new power converters for laptops and desktops that actually power computers by using less...power. Thats up to 50% less. Fujitsu has had a laptop for sale in other countries that comes with a recyclable and biodegradable corn based case. Now the laptop is coming to America! Several solar companies unveiled products like backpacks with solar panels attached to batteries so they power your laptop using the sun. Other solar products include solar powered wi-fi equipment and some better solar powered battery options.

CES itself is trying to green up its act. Food containers are biodegradable. Carpets are recyclable. The paper used for maps, guides, and information is recycled and the ink is non-toxic. All of the light bulbs at the convention center are fluorescent and a special air conditioning system that uses less electricity is in place. As if that weren't enough, CES is offsetting its carbon emissions for the show by buying carbon credits that will be invested to develop more advanced renewable energy sources for all of us.

These electronic makers aren't the only ones responsible for reducing the impact technology has on our environment. As consumers, we also have a responsibility to take the right steps when we're done using a gadget. After all, its our water, our air, and our planet at stake. If you have batteries that are dead, you can recycle them at most Staples and Office Depot locations. Old cellphones can be donated to "Cellphones for Soldiers." Or you can simply bring them into your local UPS store. As for old computers and monitors, look for local schools that accept technology donations. You can also call your city's waste department and ask them how they accept computer waste. Finally, you can go HERE and find a recycling area in your community.