As the age of technology expands at light speed, the environmental and health effects of electronic equipment have become clear. The typical desktop computer consumes up to 50 watts of energy per hour and contains 49 pounds of hazardous waste such as lead, lead oxide, barium, cadmium, mercury and brominated flame retardants.

Sarasota County realizes these impacts and is developing a program to encourage environmentally safe methods of purchasing, using and disposing of electronic equipment in county government offices.
 

Sustainable Sarasota and Sarasota County Information Technology (IT) are working together to purchase ENERGY STAR® rated electronics, extend equipment lifespan, implement an energy conservation program and recycle obsolete computers to reduce hazardous waste in our landfills.

Sarasota County's Environmentally Preferable Electronics Program
A review of strategies for low-impact electronics procurement, usage and disposal. (December, 2003)