Computers

MCS Safer Computer Products

What’s wrong with computers? First of all most computers come loaded with tons of pesticide and flame retardants. To make matters worse, when the computer heats up, the pesticides and flame retardants are released into the air. Computers have lots of plastic parts which off-gas formaldehyde when the computer heats up. Computers produce emf-fields. Computer Monitors can cause video-sickness. (Try plasma/laptop screen instead.) Computer printers use toxic ink - laser printers are worse than ink-jet. Etc., etc.
However, if you are confined to your home, you may want a computer in order to e-mail people to keep in touch. The good news is that there are some resources, especially in the area of mouse pads. This is not due to ecological sensitivity, but is due rather to PC gamers seeking a better mousepad.

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When shopping for MCS safer computers, you can start by asking for machines that are lead-free, flame-retardant-free, mercury-free, and PVC free. You may want to start with these companies, which are heading in that direction – NEC, Panasonic, and Fujitsu.

Electronics Take Back Coalition

Blauer Engel (Blue Angel) is Germany’s eco-label. The Flower is the European Union’s eco-label. TCO is Sweden’s eco-label. Svanen (Swan) is the Nordic eco-label. Other Ecolabels can be found at Ecolabel Index.
Brother; Dell; Eizo; Ericsson; HP/Canon; Mitsubishi; NEC; Panasonic/Matsushita; Philips; Samsung; Sharp; Sony; Totoku; ViewSonic; Xerox

You may want to check out the Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool – E.P.E.A.T.

Mousepads	Google Search - Natural Rubber Mouse Pads Google Search - Cloth Mouse Pads Google Search - Aluminum Mouse Pads Cork Mouse Pad Try a piece of paper or old card instead. Just make sure you don’t scrape off color or wax onto your mouse in the process. – Joy Jaber Try a trackball instead of a mouse. It eliminates the need for a mousepad. – Sharon Rickert A piece of thin cork works great and is inexpensive. Available at lumber yards. – Keith Wollen
Mice
Computer Boxes - Keep the computer safely away from you
Computers	Institute for Human Development - Build your own Computer Ecomall Blue Angel Recommendations EPEAT Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool Safe Level
Monitors	Blue Angel Recommendations EPEAT Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool Safe Level
Printers	Blue Angel Recommendations

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