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No doubt you’ve heard of the recent push lately to “go green” and be more environmentally responsible. For those who work with computers and would like to go green with technology but are unsure where to start, consider the following tips:
- Save energy by turning off your computer or putting it in a low-power state when you go to lunch, head home for the day, or take a break. This can help conserve energy, even if it does take a few extra seconds to boot up in the morning.
- Use recycled products where possible. You can find plenty of recycled products for your computer and office equipment, from recycled paper to recycled toner and ink cartridges to refurbished and recycled computers themselves. Recycled or refurbished products are usually cheaper as well, so you can save money and the planet at the same time.
- Purchase Energy Star computers, printers, fax machines, and other devices when possible. Products and appliances that are Energy Star approved meet strict guidelines for energy efficiency. Most of them use up to 75% less energy than their non-Energy Star compliant counterparts.
- Use Digital Data Storage programs. By keeping your files stored on zip drives or CD-ROMS instead of keeping hard files in folders and filing cabinets, you can cut back on the amount of paper you use by an astounding amount.
- Recycle. In addition to using recycled products, it’s important to recycle the things you use as well. You can recycle your paper, ink cartridges, cardboard, bottles, cans, and more. When you need to upgrade your computer, instead of tossing your old one into the trash to be sent to a landfill, consider recycling it for parts.
Going green is easy to do with technology and office products if you educate yourself on ways you can conserve energy.
