Frequently Asked Questions

EMS Questions | Product Questions | Process Questions

EMS Questions

1. Does SGI have an Environmental Policy that states a commitment to environmental protection? SGI's Environmental Policy communicates SGI's commitment to conducting business in a manner that manages environmental issues responsibly.
2. Does SGI's Environmental Policy extend to its suppliers and contractors? SGI strives to ensure that suppliers agree to comply with environmental regulations. SGI communicates its environmental policy, practices and impacts to suppliers and contractors via a number of supply chain management tools.
3. Has SGI clearly identified and communicated specific responsibilities and accountabilities for ensuring effective environmental management? SGI's EMS Manual (PDF 47K) defines roles, responsibilities, and authorities of personnel who manage, perform, and verify work affecting environmental issues at SGI.
4. Have those employees, whose tasks can cause significant environmental impact, received appropriate training? Personnel in job functions that have a potential to impact the environment receive appropriate education, training and/or experience to perform their job.
5. How does SGI reduce the environmental impact of its business activities? SGI uses an Environmental Management System (EMS) that meets all of the elements of the ISO 14001 Standard to reduce the potential environmental impact of its business activities. The EMS provides the framework for SGI to meet all applicable environmental regulations and achieve continual improvement in its environmental performance.
6. Does SGI have a process for continually improving its environmental performance? SGI establishes an Environmental Improvement Program (EIP) to set, track and meet an objective and target for each significant aspect each year. The EIP records the responsibilities, time frame, action plan, and resources needed for achieving each specific environmental objective and target.
7. Does SGI have a process for identifying and correcting environmental problems or challenges? SGI personnel have access to a web-based process for identifying and communicating environmental nonconformances, and initiating and documenting corrective and preventive actions on an on-going basis.
8. Does SGI maintain a system for auditing their operations to assure environmental compliance and conformance with their Environmental Management System? SGI conducts a regulatory compliance evaluation every odd fiscal year. In addition, the EMS is audited every even fiscal year to verify that it is being properly implemented and maintained.


Product Questions

1. Does SGI incorporate life cycle assessment into product design? SGI products are designed to allow for expansion and modularity, thereby extending the product's useful life and reducing the number of computer systems that are discarded.
2. Does SGI offer a "product take back" service? SGI encourages the reuse of computer systems by providing quality, remanufactured products to new and existing SGI customers. In addition, SGI takes back products when customers upgrade and provides a credit toward their new purchase for returned products that are remanufactured. SGI provides a WEEE product pickup for EU customers.
3. Is the packaging on SGI's products reusable and recyclable? SGI and its suppliers use a closed-loop supply and return system that enables reuse of packaging. In addition, SGI's product packaging contains recyclable components that can be easily separated. When possible the packaging also contains post-consumer recycled materials.
4. Are SGI's products designed and manufactured according to international regulations? SGI and its suppliers strive to meet both voluntary and regulatory measures that protect the environment (e.g., conserve energy and resources, and minimize the use of certain hazardous substances) while designing and manufacturing electronic products and packaging.
5. What are SGI's plans regarding the European Union Directives - Waste Electrical & Electronic Equipment (WEEE) and the Restriction on use of Hazardous Substances in Electronic Equipment (RoHS)? SGI is committed to using environmentally friendly alternatives to hazardous substances in all areas where a suitable alternative has been identified.

The SGI® Altix® family systems as well as SGI storage products shipping into the EU are compliant with the EU RoHS directive.

SGI provides a WEEE product pickup for EU customers.
6. Do SGI's products emit any chemicals? Studies show that computer systems emit very small amounts of volatile organic compounds, ozone and particulate matter, particularly in the first few weeks of operation. These emissions originate from residual solvents, epoxies and plastic components that may be released with system heating. While unpleasant odors may be produced, the emissions themselves do not pose health risks. SGI performs a run-in test after assembly of a new system, in which functionality is verified, and this often serves to dissipate any such potential emissions.
7. Do SGI's products contain CFCs (chlorofluorocarbons) or other ozone depleting substances (ODS)? SGI's products, manufacturing processes, and packaging materials are CFC and ODS-free.
8. Is SGI working to eliminate lead from its products? SGI and its suppliers are committed to compliance with all applicable laws and regulations, including the restriction of hazardous substances in electronic products. The European Union Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) Directive specifies that an electronic product or component may not contain lead, except as specifically provided in the directive. SGI is in compliance with RoHS-related requirements.
9. Do SGI's products meet Energy Star requirements? All SGI standard monitors meet or exceed Energy Star energy efficiency performance guidelines. Although Energy Star is not applicable to SGI's systems and servers, these products are very powerful and specifically designed to be continuously available. This decreases their electrical use and lowers cooling cost.
10. Are SGI's products certified according to any eco-label standards? All SGI standard monitors comply with the TCO eco-label standards for low power consumption, low emissions, safety, ergonomics, and recycling.
11. I have an old SGI system, what are my recycling options? There are many electronics recycling firms that will take your old computer/system hardware for a fee. They break down the product, recycle and reuse some materials, recover the precious metals, then dispose of the remainder of the product. Find an electronic recycler by you in the US. While SGI does not endorse any particular firm, the following firms may provide these services: Belmont Trading Company, 3160 MacArthur Blvd., Northbrook, IL 60062, USA / Datec, 1 Whittle Place, South Newmoor Industrial Estate, Irvine Ayrshire, KA11 4HR, Scotland. EU customers can click here to initiate a product pickup.


Process Questions

1. What is SGI doing to design more environmentally friendly products? SGI designs and manufactures its products to conserve natural resources and prevent pollution throughout the system's life cycle by incorporating environmental attributes such as reduction of environmentally sensitive materials, increased energy efficiency, and extension of product life through modularity and expansion features.
2. Do any SGI facilities meet the reporting thresholds of toxic chemicals established under Section 313 of the Emergency Planning and Community Right to Know Act? SGI does not manufacture, process, or otherwise use any chemicals on the Section 313/Toxic Release Inventory list.
3. What chemicals are used at SGI? SGI's processes require the use of paint, epoxy, adhesives, isopropyl alcohol, solvent component cleaner, solder, flux, nitrogen, lubricants, ink, toner, and household cleaners.
4. What kind of hazardous waste does SGI generate? SGI generates very small quantities of spent batteries and solder dross.
5. Has SGI identified potential emergency situations that can cause environmental impact? SGI maintains emergency preparedness and response procedures for preventing and responding to incidents, accidents, and emergency situations. These plans are located on SGI's intranet site for easy access.
6. Have there been any environment related criminal or civil actions against SGI? SGI has never incurred an environmental fine or penalty and there has never been a significant environmental incident at an SGI facility.
7. Does SGI maintain a recycling program? SGI routinely collects and recycles many materials that would otherwise become waste, including aluminum, glass, plastic, corrugated, paper, foam, pallets, Ni-Cad batteries, and office equipment/furniture.
8. What happens to computer system components that cannot be reconditioned or remanufactured? SGI maintains contracts with a number of asset recovery vendors who extract, reuse, and recycle monitors, precious and non-precious metals, skins logo plastics, etc. from used electronic components.
9. Does SGI maintain a resource conservation program? SGI's environmental responsibility extends into programs that reduce energy and water consumption, minimize materials for disposal, and provide convenient equipment recovery and product upgrade solutions.