A UK government study in late 2004 reported that there were substantial green benefits to running a Linux open source operating system (OS) on computers instead of the ubiquitous Windows OS, owned by Microsoft. The main problem with Windows users was that they had to change their computer twice as many times as Linux users, on average, thereby effectively creating twice as much computer-generated e-waste.
The report, titled, "Office of Government Commerce: Open Source Software Trials in Government - Final Report" reported the following:
"There are also potential Green Agenda benefits, through reducing the energy and resources consumed in manufacturing replacement equipment, and reducing landfill requirements and costs arising from disposal of redundant equipment.
Linux results in 50% less e-waste
Posted on Saturday, December 15 2007 @ 13:31 CET by Thomas De Maesschalck
CNN reports usage of Linux results in 50 percent less e-waste than Windows. The report claims Windows systems need to be refreshed every 3-4 years while Linux systems have a refresh period of 6-8 years.