Intel pushes its environmental initiatives
mongabay.com
May 23, 2007
Intel Corp. said it is removing lead from its next generation of computer chips. Instead the company will use an alloy made up of tin, silver, and copper.
Intel said the decision stems from concerns over the public health and environmental impact of lead use and is part of its initiative to become “greener”.
‘Intel is taking an aggressive stance toward environmental sustainability, from the elimination of lead and a focus on greater energy efficiency of our products to fewer air emissions and more water and materials recycling,’ said Samir Al-Schamma, a general manager at Intel’s Technology and Manufacturing Group.
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The chipmaker said it is also working to improve energy efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions from semiconductor manufacturing. Intel claims that in the last three years, it has saved more than 9 billion gallons of fresh water through conservation measures, reduced its global warming gas emissions by the equivalent of removing 50,000 automobiles from the road, and reduced hazardous materials in its products and recycles more than 70 percent of its chemical and solid wastes. The firms says it is the biggest single-largest purchaser of wind power in Oregon and the largest industrial consumer of renewable energy in New Mexico.
A number of other tech companies — including AMD, Apple Computer, Dell, IBM, Hewlett Packard, and Sun Microsystems — have recently announced similar “green” initiatives, though Intel appears to be the first to ban lead.