A UN University study into the environmental impact of PCs has found that extending their operational life through re-use holds greater potential for energy savings than recycling.
According to the study, which will be published on Monday, about 1.8 tons of raw material are required to manufacture the average desktop PC and monitor. The manufacturing of one desktop computer and 17-inch CRT monitor requires at least 529 pounds of fossil fuels, 48 pounds of chemicals, and more than 3000 pounds of water, the study says. In terms of weight, the total amount of materials used is about equal to that of a mid-size car.
Read the full story at PC World.
