posted by admin on Jan 30
Is Asus Going Green?
I am getting myself my first netbook this week, and I have been checking out the options – although it seems as though Asus may well have won me over straight away with their new ‘green’ credentials.
Everything they say they are doing might not apply to the actual model that I buy, but I am warming to a company that is at the ‘action’ end of the spectrum when it comes to making technology more efficient and environmentally kinder.
Technology at the moment moves so fast that ‘new’ gadgets are often overtaken in a matter of weeks by the next ‘best thing’ creating a whole heap of waste. I mean, I know several people with a drawer full of spare mobiles and chargers sitting about as they get a new model every time they upgrade their package!
It’s such a waste of resources, so I’m glad to see that Asus are investing effort not only to make their products without damaging chemicals, they are also making them more durable and they have invested in a program to reclaim parts from your old laptops, etc, rather than have them end up in a landfill.
Apparently there is now more gold found in a tonne of modern electrical waste than in 17 tonnes of ore from a gold mine! Think how reusing our technology could save the worlds remaining resources from being destroyed. I can’t believe more companies can’t see the advantages to getting their resources free!
Efficient Running:
Asus claim that their technology can determine when your laptop needs less energy and adjust the flow into your machine. Many machines lose energy as heat when being used and this new technology claims to make them more the 96% power efficient.
Their Super-Hybrid Engine (SHE) claims to extend battery life by half again – and boost the laptops performance by a further 10% as well. With this in mind – this latest technology can reduce the carbon emissions of one laptop in a year by 12.3kgs.
Reduced Chemicals:
Asus claim that they have identified and removed 37 hazardous chemicals – including mercury and lead – from their products – (the current WEEE directives only ask for 6). They don’t say whether other manufacturers had that many in the first place, but they have also made their factories free of these chemicals too so that can’t be a bad thing for their employees!
They have also just launched their ‘Bamboo’ series of laptops that are coated in natural, sustainable bamboo rather than metal – one of the greenest gadgets in 2009 – further greening up it’s environmental credentials.
Eco Friendly:
They are also making sure that their suppliers are sticking to green methods as well – and they request a list of components and added ‘ingredients’ to make sure that their claims are not being thwarted by others.
Their staff are also getting ‘green training’ in the companies ethics and principles to make sure that everyone involved in the manufacturing process is aware of the how’s and the whys – the Facts.
Recycling:
Apparently they are designed with their dismantling in mind as the company was one of the first (in 2006) to introduce a free recycling service included in the purchase price.
Asus have already collected over 5500 unwanted PCs from customers and have been reusing the parts where possible and reclaiming the precious metals and technology from machines that cannot be repaired.
They also claim to have donated over 1000 usable computers to schools in disadvantaged communities as part of their ‘recycling’ package.
Conclusion:
Seeing as their netbooks, notepads, laptops and PCs have been winning awards all over the place for their usability and incorporated technologies, Asus seemed like a safe bet anyway.
But with their recent take on making their company more environmentally responsible, their products more environmentally friendly and their customers more environmentally aware – while keeping their prices totally competitive (from £149/$220 for the Eee Pc netbook) they are certainly going to be my first choice of laptop next week!
The more people like us that support their efforts – the more of a difference they can make. If other companies start to see their designs out-sold by Asus – they may well start to be more responsible too.
