Report – increasing Post Consumer Recycled Plastics in IT products

Almost all IT products contain plastics. But, the use of new or “virgin oil” plastics is connected to a number of sustainability problems.  Co2 emissions, high resource use in manufacturing and the threat of hazardous petrochemicals affecting human health and the natural environment are among the effects of using new plastics in IT products. Today only about 10% of plastics from durable goods is recycled, further adding to these threats and the global e-waste crisis.

By using more recycled materials, we can help reduce this environmental burden. This includes making more use of post consumer recycled plastics in IT products. While the IT industry is showing gradual improvement in accessing recycled materials, there’s still more to be done.

There are many benefits to including recycled plastic in IT products, including:

• Up to 80% lower energy consumption in manufacturing when compared to virgin plastics.
• Less raw materials required.
• Reduced carbon footprint. Every ton of recycled plastic produced can result in up to 1-3 tons of Co2 savings, compared to virgin plastics.

In conjunction with the launch of the first TCO Certified Edge Displays with a minimum 85% post consumer recycled plastic content, we’ve also published an informative background report – Post Consumer Recycled Plastics in IT Products.

The report explains more about plastics in IT products and what we can all do to advance the use of more sustainable materials in the IT products we choose.

Download the report

Choose products that contain post consumer recycled plastics

As a purchaser you can do your part by asking your vendor for computer displays that carry the new TCO Certified Edge Displays certification. This way you know the product includes a minimum of 85% post consumer recycled plastics.