The IT industry’s love affair with green computing has taken a horticultural turn in Israel, where Intel’s latest data centre has been designed to capture waste water that will be used to irrigate the centre’s gardens. The water will be captured as condensate from the plant’s cooling towers, which will also be used a thermal source for providing hot water to the centre’s both rooms, and kitchens.

Haifa, home to one of Intel’s major design centres, enjoys average summer temperatures of 26 degrees centigrade and minimal rainfall. Intel’s capture of waste water will enable its employees to enjoy floral displays all year round, as well as making a small contribution towards mitigating the company’s carbon footprint.