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It's in articles like this one where environ-friendly choices meet up with the bottom line:

As the information technology director of the Center for a New American Dream, a small environmental group, Jared Seltzer wanted to buy a computer that would be relatively easy on the ecosystem.

His search brought him to the Dell Web site, where he chose an OptiPlex model that had been refurbished.

''I wasn't losing anything by not buying new,'' Mr. Seltzer said. ''And it was good that I was being true to what we're about.''

Like many other consumers, Mr. Seltzer is concerned about the environmental effects of computers, which can contain hazardous substances including lead, cadmium and mercury, among others.

Hazards occur when these substances are extracted from the earth and, on the other end, when they are disposed of. At either end, toxic substances can find their way into the air, soil, water and eventually into people, where they have the potential to cause serious health problems.

Refurbished computers lessen the blow to the environment because they have effectively been recycled, albeit at warp speed. They can also be easier on the bank account. Mr. Seltzer's desktop cost him $379 -- less than half the $800 price of a new one.

Sweet!

This article from the NY Times is just chock-full of nuggets of great e-information. For instance:

* Consumers are now consulting the Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool, or Epeat, an electronics rating system available free at www.epeat.net.

* Epeat-rated computers are likely to save buyers money on their electric bills. The E.P.A. estimates that 600,000 megawatts of energy, as well as 13 million pounds of hazardous waste, will be saved over the next five years by the purchase of Epeat-rated computers.

* There will be a much broader selection of greener computers and other electronics by 2008 because all manufacturers are under pressure to make their products meet hazardous-substance standards that are as high or higher than those of Epeat.

* The European Union issued its Restrictions on Hazardous Substances this past July. The RoHS directive essentially will require all manufacturers and retailers selling their products in the European Union to greatly reduce the presence of six hazards.

The times they are a-changin'. Slowly...every so slowly...

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