Work category

Toward a greener laptop

As reported on 7 May 2009 by Newropeans Magazine, the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) estimates that between 20 million and 50 million tons of electronic waste is generated each year, worldwide, with the EU responsible for some 9 million tons annually of discarded mobile phones, computers and other devices annually.

Despite heavy internaitonal legislation and regulation, as much as 75 per cent of this waste is still unaccounted for, according to these reports, and ends up in unspecified places. Newropeans resports that some electronic waste is exported, primarily to venues in developing countries.

Concerned about electronic waste caused by consumers' frequent renewal of laptops, computer producer Zepto has developed the concept Zepto Green.

In developing countries, people sometimes make a dangerous living burning circuit boards on scrap heaps in order to get access to the valuable heavy metals (lead, cadmium, mercury) of electronic waste. To combat this trend and the toxic burning of such discarded materials, the Zepto Green concept keeps all materials in a "closed loop."

Based on a leasing service, the Zepto Green concept makes the product available through subscription instead of through a one-time purchase. Consumers specify their laptop needs and pay a subscription rate accordingly, and can subsequently upgrade or downgrade equipment. The product design of the Zepto Green laptops is user-friendly and makes it simpler for consumers to assemble and disassemble the laptop in order to replace components.

Through the Zepto Green concept, the relationship between Zepto and their buyers has thus changed from a one-time purchase situation into a long-term relationship, which benefits customers and Zepto as well as the global environment.

The closed loop gives customers the opportunity to choose the exact equipment for their needs, and the opportunity to adapt this equipment over time, thereby cutting down on purchasing expenses. The manufacturer benefits by attaching customers through the subscription service, saving money on returned goods and reducing assembly costs. The global environment, especially in developing countries, benefits from a smaller amount of hazardous electronic waste being exported and burned in an environmentally devastating manner.

ZEPTO GREEN
ISSUE:	Dangers to the environment and people of irresponsibly discarded electronic waste.
INTENT	Maintain computer equipment in a "closed loop" between the manufacturer and customers, who subscribe to machinery rather than owning it. The machinery goes back to the manufacturer for safe disposal at the end.
WHO:	Zepto Zepto Computers of Denmark, www.zepto.com, and designer MOVE ApS