May 21st, 2007

Many tech geeks don’t realize that their gadgets are — for the most part — environmentally unfriendly. The reality is that high-tech devices tax the environment in numerous ways- they use lots of energy, often contain hazardous chemicals, and usually don’t have much of a long-term usage life. So if you just can’t give up your addiction to technology and if you don’t want to create your own personal hole in the ozone you’ll need to be more careful about your usage. Luckily, there are a few simple ways that you can embrace your love of all things computerized and lower your carbon footprint at the same time.

1. Turn It Off — While this is an incredibly simple thing to do, it can save a huge amount of electricity over the course of a year. A computer that’s continuously running will emit 2,161 pounds of CO2 in a year and cost on average $45 a year to power. It would take 100 to 500 trees to offset that amount of extra CO2. Many people have been reluctant to turn off their computer because they believe that it’s bad for the computer or that it will actually use more energy in the long run. Neither one of these myths are true. Computers are designed to handle more on/off cycles than you will possibly use in the life of the machine, and the energy surge required to boot up your computer is equal to about the same amount of energy used to run your computer for 3 minutes. If you simply can’t bear to turn your computer off due to long booting times, put your computer in sleep mode when you’re not using it, or at least turn off the monitor at night. If you’re forgetful, a program called Local Cooling can be set to automatically put your computer in sleep mode, turn it off, or turn off the screen.
2. Recycle Your Old Computer — Computers are a main contributor to electronic waste products and they pose a major disposal issue because they are made up of various components that are environmentally toxic. It is estimated that only tan percent of old computers are currently recycled, which is a sad statistic considering the quickness with which technology becomes obsolete. Don’t let your computer be part of the problem. If your computer is still in good working order, you can donate your old computer to an organization that can refurbish it and give it to someone who can use it. Keep a record of these donations and you could even get a bit of a tax break. If your computer has seen it’s last working days and you’re ready to kick it to the curb don’t send it off to the landfill. Programs exist nationwide for computer recycling, both for your main system and for the components that go along with it. Recyclers will take apart your old computer to remove any useful parts, break down the rest, and make sure that harmful chemicals are disposed of properly. You’ll be rid of your old electronics and you won’t pollute any groundwater supplies.
3. Don’t Use Screen Savers — There was a time when screen savers were actually a practical thing, designed to protect the phosphorescent lining of monochrome monitors. Most new monitors are LCD, and if you use a screen saver on an LCD monitor it can actually reduce the lifespan of the monitor. So that slide show of your dog in various costumes may be cute and funny, but it isn’t helping your monitor nor is it helping the environment. Keeping your screen active and moving uses more energy than setting your monitor to go blank or shut down when your computer is not in use. In some cases, screen savers can actually prevent your computer from going into the power saving mode.
4. Print Smart — Printing is inherently a bit of an ungreen piece of technology, but that doesn’t mean you have to make it any worse than it already is. For instance, don’t waste paper printing out things you could easily jot down on scrap paper. Also, carefully proofread before sending documents to the printer. While editing on paper might be easier make an attempt to edit drafts electronically, it’s just not worth the waste. If you do print something that you don’t need, make sure it gets recycled or used it as scrap paper. You can also conserve with your printer by buying ink refill kits instead of completely new cartridges. And if you’re really serious about greening up your printer, try changing over from petroleum based inks (which can pollute and cause cancer and birth defects if not disposed of properly) to a soy-based ink.
5. Make Your Next Computer a Green One — While not everyone is in the market to replace a computer right now, it’s good to remember that the average life span of most computer systems is only 3-5 years. That’s not very long, and the sad reality is that within the next few years you most likely will find yourself thinking of replacing your computer. With the current focus on the environment and environmentally friendly products, manufacturers are jumping on the green bandwagon. Companies like Dell and Apple continue to make a concentrated effort to create computer systems that are more environmentally friendly. One thing to look for is a system with an EnergyStar rating. In order to qualify for this rating, computers must meet performance standards in energy use. And while you’re saving the planet, you may as well save yourself a few bucks by making your purchase with your cash back or rewards credit card.

One other thing to note is that laptops generally use less energy than their desktop counterparts. If you simply can’t part with your desktop, Green Peace has created a list of the most environmentally friendly companies that produce electronics. Use that list and you (and the earth) will prosper.

PCs and information-technology equipment use about $8 billion in annual electricity costs each year in the United States alone. Even small changes in your computer use can make a difference, and that limited use might show up as a profit on your power bill. The disposal, while more difficult to handle depending upon your location and the number of e-recyclers in your town, can lessen your carbon footprint. While the latter effort seems less important because you don’t see immediate results, the future generation will thank you.

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This entry was posted on Monday, May 21st, 2007 at 9:54 am and is filed under Features.