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Bryant Hilton, a spokesperson for Dell, admits that the Directive's requirements for producers to recover 75 per cent of goods taken back for disposal and to re-use 70 per cent of those goods are tough. 'It's a challenge,' he says, 'but we'll meet it - absolutely. Our advantage is the fact that we are direct. We don't have to worry about recovering products through third parties.'

Furthermore, he believes the likes of Dell have a key role to play in using market power to ensure the industry moves quickly to environmentally responsible practices. 'We definitely have a good deal of influence in this area,' he said. 'We follow the most stringent materials requirement on a global basis for manufacturing - those most stringent requirements not surprisingly often come out of Europe - but we apply them on a world-wide basis. So when we meet all the requirements of the EU's RoHS (restriction on hazardous substances) directive (most of which we already have), the same will apply wherever we do business.'

The reponsibility for this lies not only on Dell, but also upon the manufacturers of components it uses to assemble its machines. 'We have to work closely with our suppliers in doing this,' said Bryant. 'We have a list of banned materials (which are either banned by law in some regions or by customer preference) and require all suppliers to submit that they will

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not use those substances.'

The WEEE Directive will be translated into national law across EU member states in the middle of next year, while RoHS requirements banning the use of toxic substances and heavy metals will have to be met in 2006.

Bryant said that while Dell does not currently have a formal offering for recycling, it can already offer business customers such services on a case by case scenario.

He asserted that Dell was committed to taking a leading over environmental responsibility. 'We are already working on what we can do for product recovery, whether it is a Government mandate or through an NGO (non-governmental organisation),' he said. 'We already recycle some parts, such as the steel from the chassis. Brominated flame retardants have already been eliminated at no extra cost and all our plastics are marked to make them easier to recycle.'

However, some changes will prove more expensive. 'Lead is a challenge,' said Bryant. 'It has to be eliminated by 2006 and while some components can be cheaply replaced, every metal has a different price.'

That might be a cagey way of saying that computers may cost more if we are to factor-in the cost of recycling, but the cost of being environmentally responsible in computing is one we will all have to bear.

He also claims that Dell is designing for recyclability - ensuring its products feature more modular components that mean more opportunities to extend product life with upgrading and easier recycling. It also offers a refurbished service that gives customers the chance to purchase cheaper products and help the environment through the Dell Factory Outlet.

You can find out more about Dell's environmental initiatives on its Web site.

You can also read our report on the WEEE Directive on these pages.