Energy efficient PCs made from recyclable materials and programs to help cut electronic waste could help drive PC growth.

After consumer electronics and mobile phones, it's now the turn of computers to turn green. Leading vendors such as Hewlett-Packard (HP), Dell and Acer are adopting ‘green computing' in a major way . Apart from rolling out energy-efficient computers made from recyclable materials, the vendors are launching recycling programmes to reduce e-waste.

The vendors feel their latest initiatives will boost sales amidst the slowdown, since green computers consume much less energy and reduce the total cost of ownership. Analysts, too, feel green computing could become the next growth driver at a time when market watchers like IDC have projected that there could be a drop in PC sales in India this year.

Interestingly, the government is also coming up with energy efficiency standards for computers.  "Initially, we will come up with energy standards for desktops and monitors, and eventually for laptops,"

Be that as it may, the vendors claim sensitivity for green PC is already growing amongst corporates and IT/BPO firms. "Corporates are, for sure, seeing the benefits of cost savings. However, the consumer segment is yet to wake up to green computing," The BEE labelling is expected to fill that gap and create consumer awareness about energy efficient computers.

HP has just rolled out a notebook battery replacement programme in India. "During discussions with CIOs, we found that many of them are clueless about the best way to dispose their notebook batteries. We expect more than 500 enterprise customers to benefit from this," said HP manager—.

Dell, too, is betting on green computing to drive growth.

"At a time when companies are reducing costs, energy efficient computers and servers will find more acceptance. It makes business sense for enterprises and consumers since these products enable huge savings on power bills throughout the product's lifecycle," a Dell spokeswoman said.

Apart from innovations in the product line, Dell and HP have rolled out recycling programmes for safe disposal of old equipment in an environment responsible manner. Dell is even innovating packaging by making them from sustainable material. HP's design centre is working on developing several such products.