Now that the economy is showing steady signs of recovery -- widespread unemployment notwithstanding -- companies are starting to refresh their computers and data centers on a much larger scale than last year. While this is good news from a green IT perspective (since on balance new machines are more efficient than older machines), it also increases the significant challenge for companies and countries alike of how to deal with discarded electronics.

A report just published by the United Nations' Environment Programme finds that developing nations and growing economies are going to face a surge in e-waste in the next ten years, driven by castoffs from the U.S. and Europe as much as domestic purchases from new electronics buyers.

I spoke with Ken Beyer, the CEO of CloudBlue, about the problem and how to address it. CloudBlue has developed a global network of recyclers certified under the e-Stewards standard, and aims to help global enterprises easily and responsibly manage their e-waste after they overhaul their IT fleets. You can read more about CloudBlue here: CloudBlue Takes Responsible E-Waste Management Global.

We've also got two takes this week on the ongoing efforts to green Apple's processes and reporting: "Despite Supplier Audits, Apple Investors Demand More," looks at Apple's third annual supplier responsibility report, while As You Sow's Conrad MacKerron gives us the inside view from Apple's annual shareholder meeting in "Green Surprises at Apple's Shareholder Meeting."

And don't miss Claudia Girrbach's useful look at how to address the mounds of excess packaging most IT vendors are still sending to their customers. Claudia's got three easy steps to cut all that waste in "How to Work with Your Vendors to Go on a Packaging Diet."

This guide from Info-Tech lays out how your firm can develop a complete end-to-end strategy that incorporates cost-effective and environmental best practices throughout the lifecycle of all IT assets.

This report from the Climate Savers Computing Initiative offers manufacturers an in-depth guide for designing electronics to include easy-to-use and effective power management tools.

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