The Green Gadget Lover
We all love our gadgets and computers, but often worry about the impact they are making on our planet. Whether we worry about everyday use of a gadget we have had for years or think about how we can recycle an older or malfunctioning model, many of us consider how we can be greener when it comes to gadgets. Fortunately, there are some excellent resources on the subject.
The concept of green computing not only saves the environment, but can save you some green as well. Older PCs used to take a long time to boot up and we were often advised that turning them on and off shortened the life cycle of the hard drive. In reality, that isn't true and turning the PC off at night actually helps prolong its life by allowing it to cool down. Even in a low-power state, some PCs still allow the hard drive to spin, which wears it down when you aren't even using it. But even if you don't want to turn your PC off when you aren't using it, there are some alternatives you can do that still cut energy use and ultimately, your power bill. Many of these tips can be found in a handy Green Computing Guide published by the Colorado University Environmental Center. While this guide is geared toward students at CU, the tips it contains are universal. Many are also surprising to most users, such as the fact that screen savers don't save energy and aren't even needed for most flat screens, since these newer monitors don't suffer from screen burn like their bulky predecesors. Turning off the screen saver or setting it's timer lets the PC enter a low-power state when not in use.
Of course, every electronic device eventually dies or becomes obsolete. In these cases, you really want to recycle the item so the mercury and other harmful chemicals inside don't end up in our water or soil. Electronics recycling used to be a difficult feat to accomplish because it was so hard to find a place to dispose of the items. Now, you have so many options that the US EPA has created an eCycling portal. The portal features lots of information about recycling laws and statistics, but one of the site's best features is the guide to donating or recycling your old devices. Be sure to check them out, as many are sponsored by manufacturers that either offer free pick-up when they deliver a new bulk item (like a TV) or trade-in/rebate programs for smaller items. Either way, recycling can save you money or at least help you move the 200 pound appliance you need to replace.
The concept of green computing not only saves the environment, but can save you some green as well. Older PCs used to take a long time to boot up and we were often advised that turning them on and off shortened the life cycle of the hard drive. In reality, that isn't true and turning the PC off at night actually helps prolong its life by allowing it to cool down. Even in a low-power state, some PCs still allow the hard drive to spin, which wears it down when you aren't even using it. But even if you don't want to turn your PC off when you aren't using it, there are some alternatives you can do that still cut energy use and ultimately, your power bill. Many of these tips can be found in a handy Green Computing Guide published by the Colorado University Environmental Center. While this guide is geared toward students at CU, the tips it contains are universal. Many are also surprising to most users, such as the fact that screen savers don't save energy and aren't even needed for most flat screens, since these newer monitors don't suffer from screen burn like their bulky predecesors. Turning off the screen saver or setting it's timer lets the PC enter a low-power state when not in use.
Of course, every electronic device eventually dies or becomes obsolete. In these cases, you really want to recycle the item so the mercury and other harmful chemicals inside don't end up in our water or soil. Electronics recycling used to be a difficult feat to accomplish because it was so hard to find a place to dispose of the items. Now, you have so many options that the US EPA has created an eCycling portal. The portal features lots of information about recycling laws and statistics, but one of the site's best features is the guide to donating or recycling your old devices. Be sure to check them out, as many are sponsored by manufacturers that either offer free pick-up when they deliver a new bulk item (like a TV) or trade-in/rebate programs for smaller items. Either way, recycling can save you money or at least help you move the 200 pound appliance you need to replace.
- Laura N.
(image courtesy of cambodia4kidsorg)
Comments
Post a Comment