Computers

Discarded computers mostly wind up exported to the third world as hazardous "e-waste" containing lead and cadmium circuit boards, lead oxide and barium in monitors, mercury in flat screens, and plastics and flame retardants in casings, circuit boards and cables. When purchasing a new computer, look for companies with "take back" policies for old machines, such as HP, Dell, NEC and IBM. And seek out TCO and Blue Angel ecolabeled products that have cut many of the toxic materials.

Product Picks

Computer systems: Dell's OptiPlex Desktop systems *+ SX280, GX280 and GX620, from $509 (www.dell.com, 800-917-DELL).

Monitors: Dell LCD Flat Panel E193FP *, 19", $379; Dell Color Flat CRT Monitor M993 *, 19" $269 (www.dell.com, 800-917-DELL). HP Flat Panel Monitor L1940 *, 19", $499. HP CRT Monitor v7650*, 17", $169 (www.hp.com, 866-433-2034). Samsung TFT-LCD Monitor 214T Black *, 21", $599 (www.bestbuy.com, 888-BestBuy). Samsung SyncMaster LCD Monitor 193P+Silver *, 19", $599 (www.samsung.com, 800-SAMSUNG).

Laptop: Panasonic's Toughbook T2 laptop•, lead-free solder, recyclable magnesium alloy case, reduced flame retardants, consumer take-back program. $2,524 (www.panasonic.com, 800-405-0652).

Scanners and printers: HP Scanjet 4070 Photosmart Scanner•, no glue, no paint and no embedded metal fasteners; 100 percent post-consumer recycled plastic. $129.99 (www.hp.com, 866-433-2034). HP Deskjet 6540 Printer •+, no flame retardants, paint or plating; easy disassembly for recycling, $129.99

*TCO-certified

• Energy Star certified

+ Blue Angel certified

Resources: Blue Angel, www.blauer-engel.de; Computer TakeBack Campaign, www.computertakeback.com; Earth 911, www.earth911.org; Grassroots Recycling Network, www.grrn.org; TCO, www.tcodevelopment.com. See also Computers Product Report at thegreenguide.com/reports.