[GRRN] IBM's new desktop PC contains more recycled plastic

Anne Claire Broughton (ACBroughton@compuserve.com)
Tue, 2 Mar 1999 11:53:46 -0500


Hi, folks! In light of all the discussion about Coca-Cola's refusal to us=
e
recycled content, here's an announcement from IBM about how they have
stepped up their use of recycled plastic content, at least in one product=
.
They say it doesn't cost them more -- in some case, it even costs less. =

Anne Claire Broughton
former editor of Recycling Today
now consultant with Sustainable Jobs Corp.
Carrboro, NC

News Release

Public Relations Contacts:
Ray Gorman
919-254-7037
rgorman@us.ibm.com

03/01/99

IBM Launches World's First Desktop PC With 100% Recycled Plastic Res=
in

Research Triangle Park, NC, March 1 ... IBM* today announced t=
he
world's first personal computer to be made from 100% recycled resin for a=
ll
major plastic parts (1), the IBM IntelliStation* E Pro. The I=
BM
IntelliStation E Pro is one of several new Windows NT**-based workstatio=
ns
and commercial PCs IBM introduced today, featuring Intel's new Pentium*=
**
III microprocessor. Also included are the IBM PC 300GL, the IBM PC 300=
PL
and the IBM IntelliStation M Pro.

IBM's integration of recycled plastics in new system production =
is
unmatched in the computer industry and demonstrates IBM's technologic=
al
leadership in introducing products that satisfy both the customer=
's
requirements for features and price, and are environmentally conscious. F=
or
example, the new IntelliStation E Pro CPU, which contains three and a ha=
lf
pounds of plastic, was converted from a prime resin to 100% recycl=
ed
plastic at no extra cost. In fact, one of the eight recycled parts of t=
he
system unit is now 20% less expensive to manufacture.

According to a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) stud=
y,
approximately 10% of the weight content of municipal landfills is plast=
ic
waste, which equates to millions of pounds of plastic being added to t=
he
environment each year. Around the world, IBM Worldwide Materials Recove=
ry
Centers process millions of pounds of plastic waste. Last year, the Socie=
ty
Of Plastics Engineers awarded IBM its prestigious "Recycler of the Ye=
ar
Award," in recognition of IBM's pioneering achievements in advanci=
ng
environmental design and plastics recycling. The IBM IntelliStation E P=
ro
is the breakthrough product that will allow IBM's engineers to examine t=
he
potential of commercially available recycled resins for more IBM produ=
ct
lines.

"IBM's award-winning desktop PCs, including the IntelliStation E Pr=
o,
are incorporating technologies that are miles ahead of our competitors=
,"
said Anne Gardner, general manager, IBM Commercial Desktops. "Our custome=
rs
have seen IBM lead the way in manageability, reliability and performanc=
e,
and the products we're announcing today are strong examples of IBM=
's
continued technological leadership."