Electronics and the environment

Electronic devices, including computers, are increasingly used by society and therefore have an effect on the environment due to increasing volumes of waste, harmful gases and increasing energy consumption.
The manufacturing, use, and disposal of electronic devices all create a number of environmental issues.
Manufacturing process
Nitrogen trifluoride is a greenhouse gas used in the production of integrated circuits (silicon chips) which has a global warming potential 17,200 times greater than that of CO<sub>2</sub> when compared over a 100 year period. However, it is not a significant percentage of the total greenhouse gas emissions.
Electronic waste
Mitigation
Lobbying
Recognition of the problems presented by electronic waste has led to lobbying by environmental organisations. These include the Silicon Valley Toxics Coalition, Basel Action Network and Greenpeace.
 
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