Life cycle emissions of a computer
http://maps.grida.no/go/graphic/life-cycle-emissions-of-a-computer1

Average composition Pumping and of a desktop computer treatment
Silica 25%
All these materials need mining, Production from Coal quarrying, extracting Gas Oil Uranium (extraction and burning)Plastics 23%

DISPOSAL
To related industrial sectors
Iron 20%
Aluminium 14%
Copper 7% DISMANTLING
Others, including: SORTING
Lead 6% Mercury Selenium
Zinc 2% Silver Manganese
MATERIALS RECYCLING
Nickel 1% Cobalt Arsenic
Tin 1% Gold Cadmium
Transport

“Manufacturing computers is materials-intensive; the total fossil fuels used to make one desktop computer weigh over 240 kilograms, some ten times the weight of the computer itself. This is very high compared to many other goods: For an automobile or refrigerator, for example, the weight of fossil fuels used for production is roughly equal to their weights. Substantial quantities of chemicals (22 kg), and water (1 500 kg) are also used.”Eric Williams, Computers and the Environment. Understanding and
managing their impact, 2004.

2 to 3 years for a laptop
4 to 5 years for a desktop computer

Sources: UNEP/GRID-Arendal 2008; French Environment and Energy Management Agency (ADEME), Bilan Carbone ©
, Guide des facteurs d’émissions, 2007; Eric Williams, Ruediger Kuehr, 940 kg of CO2
eq
Computers and the Environment. Understanding and managing per year their impact, 2004; Silicon Valley Toxics Coalition.

96 KICK THE HABIT THE CYCLE – REDUCE