Bamboo more than a veneer

Asus has launched its Bamboo Series notebook, previously showcased as a concept model earlier in the year, in the UK, says Manufacturing Business Technology.

The Bamboo Series notebook is encased entirely in bamboo and is, according to Asus, green through every phase of its life, from conception, production and use to its eventual recycling and disposal.

The series makes use of Asus Super Hybrid Engine technology, which allows a battery life extension of between 35% and 70% in comparison to other notebooks of the same specification without this technology. It also allows up to a 23% increase in system performance.

Computer manufacturer SiCortex is expected to introduce the Green Computing Performance Index (GPCI), a tool to rank the “greenest" computers, states Information Week.

The GPCI calculates rank based on a range of performance metrics relative to energy consumed, instead of relying on a single benchmark result. The index is based on the industry standard High Performance Computing and Communications benchmark suite and covers 23 benchmarks.

According to SiCortex, the GPCI is the next step beyond the Green500 developed by Dr Wu-chun Feng of Virginia Tech, which provides a ranking of the most energy-efficient supercomputers in the world.

Electronic waste, including light globes and television sets, will be banned from rubbish dumps in South Australia under a new state government plan, reports Adelaide Now.

South Australia is prepared to go it alone and introduce the strict new bans if the Australian commonwealth and states do not agree to the scheme. Environment minister Jay Weatherill said: "Our strong preference is for a national approach to product stewardship. But if we don't get that, we will again go it alone on a crucial environmental issue."

Under the policy, products such as light globes, computer monitors, TV screens and kitchen appliances would be banned from going to landfills and be diverted to a system of recovery, re-use and recycling instead.