Looks like there is a new certification that IT types can look to when it comes to ratings for green IT.
Well-known notebook maker Lenovo has earned the first Gold rating for Laptops under the UL Environment Sustainable Production Certification (SPC). The rating was granted for the upcoming ThinkPad420, a notebook computer that is slated to be launched later in February.
The video below provides some perspective, but some of the factors that helped Lenovo earn this distinction were a focus on the use of low-halogen and post-consumer recycled content in the product as well as its choice of a design that make this notebook easier than average to disassemble for recycling or reuse after its own life. Some of the ThinkPads slated for release this year contain more than 10 percent post-consumer recycled content, while some of Lenovo’s ThinkCentre desktops and ThinkVision monitors contain up to 65 percent of the stuff. Specific things that are examined during UL Environment’s review process include product documentation, Energy Star 5.0 compliance, and manufacturing facilities. The assessment program builds on the IEEE 1680 sustainability standard, which also guides the more familiar EPEAT green technology certification process.
As I reported earlier this month, UL Environment is also spearheading the development of a standard for green mobile phones.
