Labeling a laptop as sustainable, eco-friendly, or “green” is optimistic at best. The seemingly endless cycle of upgrades produces a lot of waste, no matter how many green certifications a device gets. We have a long way to go.
Laptops are generally bad for the environment—but some are less bad than others.
But while all laptops contribute to waste, some do more or less than others. A lot of people just need a laptop, so abstaining from everything is not an option. But there are some small wins to be had if you spend time considering the options.
Note:- More about this source every little bit helps how to pick the least eco-hostile laptop
As we wrap up April and the Earth Day festivities wind down, let's quickly review the basics of incorporating sustainability into our laptop buying decisions.
Upgradable and repairable
The most essential thing to consider when buying a laptop with these issues in mind is upgradability and repairability. The more you can upgrade the device, the longer you can go without buying a new machine and turning your old one into waste.
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Also, the easier you or a technician (either a third party or someone who works for the company that made the laptop) can fix it, the better. Indeed, some laptops are designed in such a way that repairing or replacing one part requires the destruction of another part of the machine, which doubles the waste.
There are a handful of YouTube channels and websites like iFixit that basically review products based on this alone. The easier they are to repair without special tools or unnecessary scraps, the higher the score.
When all else fails, you can take to Reddit or internet forums to ask existing owners what's possible and what's not.
Responsible Material Sourcing
It's a sad reality that every laptop will introduce harmful waste into the environment when it reaches the end of its life. But some are doing better than others, on two fronts.
First, some are made with more easily recyclable materials. The components could be made with materials that already come from recycling sources, and they in turn can be recycled instead of going to landfill when you throw the laptop away.
