Vote: +1

"When you are looking for a new or replacement machine for work or home, would the knowledge that it is carbon offset for 5 years make your decision any easier?
As of the 1st of July we are going to be offsetting all of our machines manufactured here at VeryPC with a reputable company. Offset will be in the form of renewable energy in the developing world, not planting a couple of trees in Scotland.

Any thoughts?"

By: VeryPC Pete :: 3 years ago

Vote: +2

"Our computers are normal machines, just like you would buy from anyone else; well apart from our provable green credetials, and that our machines are the most energy efficient products you are likely to find.

How the offset would work is that the input carbon is estimated (around 200Kg CO2 per 20KG), then the carbon from running the machine is calculated (that is the carbon that would be generated if it was running 24/7/365) for 5 years.

That amount of carbon is then offset.

So you can buy one of our machines, plug it in switch it on and leaving it running for 5 years knowing that the CO2 burden is already sorted out."

By: VeryPC Pete :: 3 years ago

Vote: +0

"Yes I would. I believe offsetting would be valuable for preserving and managing forests in the developing world.
Has anyone heard of computers that the casing is made from a bamboo product?"

By: Annie :: 3 years ago

Vote: +0

"Pete, does something have to be recyclable to be good for the environment. Recycling consumes energy and water. It is quite low on the reduce, reuse, recycle hierarchy. Surely a bamboo case can be chipped and used as a carbon neutral fuel? Or even pyrolysed and the charcoal used to lock in the carbon?
I would be worried in case the rainforest ended up being felled to plant fast growing bamboo, to supply the many industries using it as a sustainable supply of raw material. The production of bamboo needs to be sympathetic to the eco systems and indigenous peoples.
As for the offsetting. What contribution does the PC make in reducing CO2 by reducing labour, so smaller offices therefore smaller carbon footprints, reduced consumption of paper, less travelling due to Skype and video conferencing, reduced snail mail, the list goes on...?"

By: Crunchtourism :: 3 years ago

Vote: +0

"cost difference to go carbon neutral is about £5 to cover the whole life of the machine - 5 years"

By: VeryPC Pete :: 3 years ago

Vote: +0

"Crunchtourism,
"Hardly a responsible statement. OK, so it may be hypothetical, although there are undoubtedly some people who leave their computer switched on all of the time. Your statement implies that since you have bought the offset, you need not take any further action. This is one of the major drawbacks in the way offsets are sold, an offset is not a licence to pollute."

We offset 120% of the MAXIMUM CO2e burden of our machines, or as one of my collegues put it "I have energy saving lightbulbs all through the house, but that does not mean that I leave the lights on all night!""

By: VeryPC Pete :: 3 years ago