Recompute Out of Global Waste
Category Administration
The UN has estimated that "Global e-waste is increasing by 40 million tons a year, much of it in poor countries." You can fight this trend, and build your own eco-friendly computer. Seriously.
Recompute is building computer systems out of cardboard. The case is layered sheets which are cut and sculptured to fit in all the electronics. It's a wonderful concept, and I can't believe it hasn't been before now. The end result is sufficiently durable, and easily accessible with a design purpose to address the most serious problems from E-waste: non-reusable materials, difficulty of dismantling, and non-recyclable materials.
The first time I heard of this idea, it didn't appeal to me. But, I've changed my mind after walking through our corporate data centers, and viewing the constant back log of hulking, over-engineered computer cases and router frames.
Right now, Recompute has several computer systems for sale. The most intriguing choice is the basic case, with a 400 W Power supply for the DIY crowd, which is way-cool.
Recompute is not going to replace every computer with a cardboard cutout, but they are resetting the standard. This is a good trend.
Technorati Tags: recompute, e-waste
The UN has estimated that "Global e-waste is increasing by 40 million tons a year, much of it in poor countries." You can fight this trend, and build your own eco-friendly computer. Seriously.
Recompute is building computer systems out of cardboard. The case is layered sheets which are cut and sculptured to fit in all the electronics. It's a wonderful concept, and I can't believe it hasn't been before now. The end result is sufficiently durable, and easily accessible with a design purpose to address the most serious problems from E-waste: non-reusable materials, difficulty of dismantling, and non-recyclable materials.The first time I heard of this idea, it didn't appeal to me. But, I've changed my mind after walking through our corporate data centers, and viewing the constant back log of hulking, over-engineered computer cases and router frames.
Right now, Recompute has several computer systems for sale. The most intriguing choice is the basic case, with a 400 W Power supply for the DIY crowd, which is way-cool.
Recompute is not going to replace every computer with a cardboard cutout, but they are resetting the standard. This is a good trend.
Technorati Tags: recompute, e-waste
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Comments
Sure, computer cases are bulky and over-engineered in many cases. How else to impress the IT director and purchasing manager that your pretty- much stock x86 box is "industrial strength".
But the problem with e-waste is the circuit boards, wiring, and large components in power supplies. They are difficult or impossible to repair, or recycle.
Some of the waste is created by simple degradation with age, cosmic radiation for example can degrade memory, and capacitors break down with age. Some of the problem is accidental damage.
Both of these issues are worse with your cardboard box case.
Obsolescence is the main problem. Who still runs pentium III systems in their data centers? These machines are only 10 years old or so. Indeed, the most durable component in a PC, both mechanically, and functionally, is the case. This is also the most easily repaired, or recycled component in the PC.
In all, the cardboard box solution is no solution, because it merely replaces an easily repaired, re-used or re-cycled steel case with disposable cardboard, and indeed may make the problem worse because it affords less protection to the difficult-to-repair-or-recycle electronics it houses. To say nothing of the relative heat-disipation properties, and such.
Posted by Jack At 12:24:13 PM On 03/18/2010 | - Website - |