OK computer?

Nicola Scott and Mary Rayner process the ethics of PCs

Computers have become an essential part of our lives, used for study, work and leisure.

As new technologies are developed, we often choose to replace our older systems with the latest available products.

Inevitably, this will have a negative impact upon the environment and affect computer supply chains worldwide.

These are issues which are easy to forget each time we turn our computers on, as the polluting materials and hours of labour needed to produce each machine are hidden from view. Considering this, does an ethical computer exist?

Photographer: Dusan Jankovic' | Agency: Dreamstime.com