Buy Smart
Making sustainable choices when buying electronics is a great way to get started with sustainable computing practices. Here are a few tips for buying smart:
- Buy energy efficient equipment
- Choose more modest specifications for systems that don't require the fastest processor
- Promote laptop purchases
- Replace CRT monitors with LCD monitors
- Choose recycled paper
- Make power strips available and encourage users to turn them off
- Choose "smart" power strips that have combination outlets (manually switched and always-on), motion sensors and other advanced features
- Consolidate to fewer, shared printers
Look for Environmentally Friendly Electronics
When looking to purchase a new product, visit the following websites and see how energy efficient various models and companies truly are.
ENERGY STAR
Find energy-efficient electronics and other products using this website created by the ENERGY STAR program—a joint effort by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency & the U.S. Department of energy to help individuals save money and protect the environment.EPEAT
Search for your next computer to ensure that the model meets higher sustainability criteria such products manufactured with fewer toxins and designed for easy recycling.
Don't Buy More Than You Need
When shopping for computer equipment, only buy what you need. For example, if you won't be playing high-definition games on your computer, don't include a high-end graphics card. You'll save money on both the purchase and the power used.
Buy Paper with Recycled Content
Look for at least 30% recycled content when you stock up on paper. Recycled paper not only reduces harvesting of trees, it also uses less energy and less water, causes less pollution and saves landfill space.
Buy Other Recycled Products
To close the loop, look for recycled materials in everything you buy. Increasingly more products are manufactured using recycled materials, which saves resources and keeps material out of landfills. The EPEAT rating system considers both recycling and use of recycled materials when recommending environmentally friendly electronics. Complete the cycle; buy recycled!