Going Green with Electronics - 8 Strategies to Reduce Your Carbon Footprint

by Saroj A. Content Writer

All young people in today’s world are well aware of the impact of global warming and the importance of conservation and going green. Like them, you probably take all the necessary steps to segregate your waste, recycle all the paper and plastic you can, and cut back on the usage of energy. To take your commitment to the earth a step further, check out the smart strategies you can adopt in everyday living. The best advantage of your efforts? You’ll economize by making significant savings, in terms of cash and the carbon footprint. Here’s how:

1. Turn off the Power to Electronics When Not in Use

You’re probably under the impression that turning off your TV, computer, and other gadgets when you’re not using them is a good energy saving move. However, it will surprise you to know that as long as the electronics are plugged into the power socket, they’ll continue to draw power. For instance, like CNet reports, an average 42-inch Plasma TV consumes $28.32 worth of power each year in the standby mode. An Apple iMac costs you $9.44 in the sleep mode each year.

A smart going green move is to connect the gadgets to a power strip. At the end of the day, simply disconnect the strip and you’re sorted. You can also consider opting for a smart power strip that senses when the electronics are turned off and cuts the power.

Refurbished laptops - ReUseTek 31.jpg

2. Invest in Refurbished Electronics

In place of buying brand new gadgets, choose refurbished laptops, Macs, PCs, smartphones, and tablets. These devices will cost you less than the new ones and with a little research, you can find electronics that have been used for less than a month. In fact, less than 5% of returned products have any real defect in them. And, many of these devices make their way back to the seller without the packaging having been opened or the gadget turned on. Most sellers offer you a warranty and will take back the device within a specific time interval if you’re not entirely happy with the purchase.

3. Choose Rechargeable Batteries

As far as possible, opt for removable rechargeable batteries for your electronics. The fastest lithium-ion (Li-Ion) and nickel metal hydride (NiMH) batteries power up quickly and are good strategies for going green. As Green Tech Media reports, by the year 2021, lithium batteries are likely to be at least 43% cheaper than they are today. That’s because more manufacturers and users are opting for these energy-efficient options in place of regular batteries. Make sure to dispose of used regular batteries responsibly. Though, you might want to keep in mind that recycling these batteries is an energy-consuming process and takes its toll on the

environment.

4. Do Your Research Before Buying a Gadget

Each time you need to buy a gadget, look for the Energy Star label that offers assurance that the device is energy saving and will consume at least 35% less power than regular electronics. You’ll find these stars on most devices like TVs, DVD players, battery chargers, stereo systems, cordless phones, and various others. Here’s another positive for your going green efforts. You can earn a tax rebate on the Energy Star products you buy. You can find more information on the government Energy Star website.

5. Eliminate the "Technophelia" Bug

The ‘technophelia” term is currently doing the rounds among tech buffs and explains the urge to buy the latest of gadgets available in the market whether or not you need them. Granted that the newest of technology will come with better energy saving systems. But, it is also preferable to continue to use your existing gadgets for as long as they are serving you well. Change your gadgets only if must absolutely have the new technology like if you’re a designer or software programmer. For everyone else, upgrades within the current device work just fine.

6. Recycle Old Electronics Instead of Tossing them in the Trash

Did you know that 70% of hazardous waste is made up of discarded electronics? As part of your going green commitment, prevent that percentage from rising. Donate old electronics to organizations and charities that can still find some use for them. If you’re not sure where to deposit old electronics, check out the United States Environmental Protection Agency website for the information you need. You can also participate in the various programs that electronics manufacturers have where they accept and recycle their old gadgets.

ReUseTek - Refurbished Electronics.jpg

7. Look for Manufacturers that Follow the RoHS Directive

When shopping for new gadgets, look for manufacturers that comply with the EU RoHS law. In the year 2003, the European Union enacted the Restriction on Hazardous Substances (RoHS) regulation. This law restricts the use of heavy metals like hexavalent chromium, cadmium, mercury, and lead in the production of electronics. All gadgets entering the EU must also be devoid of flame retardants like polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE) and polybrominated biphenyls (PBB).

To continue to sell their products in the EU, many manufacturers now use more eco-friendly materials. If you can buy devices made by these companies, you can ensure the prevention of these hazardous metals and chemicals from polluting landfills.

8. Opt for Solar Chargers

In today’s times, solar chargers are a great option for going green efforts. You can buy these gadgets in a range of specifications like the handheld or backpack power generators. And, use them to power laptops, iPods, Bluetooth headsets, PDAs, and phones.

As the next generation of tech-savvy and conservation conscious young people, you can do your bit for the environment by choosing the right eco-friendly electronics and disposing of the old gadgets responsibly. Also, make sure to minimize the use of energy by opting for greener sources of power.