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Green Computing - Save money and reduce your environmental impact |
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Green Computing - How to save money and reduce the environmental impact of your computer Green computing is generally defined as the practice of using computing resources efficiently and reducing their impact on the environment. However green computing is not purely focused on reducing the environmental impact but also on economic viability and social responsibility. Your home computer can contribute to environmental impact in many ways, some of these include; - High Energy consumption
- Landfill: Computers are made of poisonous materials like lead, chromium, cadmium and mercury which if not disposed of correctly can contaminate the environment.
- Radiation emitted from computer monitors (risk to users)
- Excess Packaging
So what can be done to reduce the environmental impact of the home computer? The following ideas can be used both in the home and business; - When not is use, turn off computers and monitors. By turning off a computer/monitor is saves energy and may prolong the life of the computer;
- Buy a computer that will meet both your immediate and future needs. This will mean purchasing less computers over a lifetime;
- Where possible buy refurbished products. Refurbished computers and peripherals can offer substantial dollar savings and also benefit the environment;
- Choose computers that minimize energy consumption.
- Energy Star-compliant computers and monitors have been designed to reduce energy use when idle.
- Desktops can consume up to 10 times more energy than laptops
- Inkjets printers consume less energy than laser printers - Print only what is necessary;
- Recycling printer paper waste;
- Look for other environmental friendly features such as:
- a modular/upgradeable design
- online documentation and user manuals - Packaging is important for the protection of new computers, however look for manufactures that do not over package their products;
- Share computers and printers throughout the household. For example have a single printer in the house that all computers can connect to;
- Use refillable inkjet cartridges;
- Look for power management features on your desktop or notebook to minimize energy use. These features enable the computer to go into low-power mode when not in use, which can save a significant amount of energy.
You can also extend the life of your computer by - Donating it to an organisation who will reuse it. While you may have outgrown its features other organisation may be able to use it for years to come;
- Reuse some components such as monitors, keyboards and mice;
- Recycle it. If the computer is not able to be donated then consider recycling it in an environmentally responsible manner (e-waste companies will dispose of electronic equipment in safe way for the environment)
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