LOOKING FOR A NEW COMPUTER?
If you are looking for a new computer this year in pursuit for more speed, memory or features the ever-changing industry has to offer, you are most likely not alone. It is estimated that about 70 million computers were bought last year in the US alone. Taking into consideration the fact that computers use about 394 kilowatt hours of electricity in a year, the 70 million PCs amount to over 18 million more tons of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere!
So if you are environmentally conscious and trying to go for something that is least harmful, here are a few tips that hopefully will shed some light on the process of finding a “green” computer and using it in a “green” way:
- Look for energy star rated electronics—the Environmental Protection Agency’s latest rating requires computers and monitors to use 20-50 % less energy. Laptops, however, must use at most 22 watts while idle, 1.7 watts in sleep mode and 1.0 watts in standby.
- Check the computer’s energy consumption in idle mode—by doing this, you’ll get the best estimation of the device’s overall energy use since the computers use varying amounts of energy depending on what actions they perform.
- Look for EPEAT ranking—it’s a system (created by Environmental Protection Agency and Greener Electronic Council) awarding computers from bronze to gold and rating them against a number of criteria and categories ,e.g. toxics reduction, recycled content, energy efficiency, ease of recycling, product longevity, company environmental performance, product takeback and recycling programs, and packaging. Moreover, all computers awarded EPEAT comply to Restriction of Hazardous Substances in Electrical and Electronic Equipment (ROHs)—a decree created by the European Union in 2006 in order to reduce the use of cadmium, lead, mercury, hexavalent chromium and certain brominated flame retardants in electronics, including computers.
- Ask about the takeback programs—With an increasing number of electronic waste, manufacturers are beginning to implement the takeback policy. Look for companies that offer most convenient options of returning your old computer. Some companies, for instance Dell or Apple, take back any old computers, even if not manufactured by them when you buy a new computer. However, other companies may charge you for shipping the old electronic back.
- Make sure you properly dispose of an old computer—even if the takeback program is not available anywhere near you, you can still dispose of the device without putting hazardous materials in the landfills. Here are just a couple of things you can do:
1. donate it to a local school, center, charity or nonprofit group for reuse,
2. find a trustworthy recycler who will safely disable your computer in the US (instead shipping it off to one of the third world countries)
Shopping tips:
- Try upgrading an old machine first—consider this step before you buy a new machine to get the performance you want. Desktops are usually easier to upgrade than laptops.
- Buy an easily upgradable computer.
- Resist flashy video and audio components if you don’t need them— a lot of add-ons will cause a computer to use more energy.
- Look for less inefficient packaging—look for companies that use recycled materials for their packaging or ones that are reusable, recyclable or can be sent back to the manufacturer to be reused.
And finally, one of the most important things you can do to help the earth breath a bit easier—turn your computer off when not in use! It is estimated that 20% of computers are left turned on at night and on the weekends. Set your computer to enter standby or sleep mode after 30 to 60 minutes of inactivity. To save even more, set your monitors to enter sleep mode after 5 to 20 minutes of inactivity. The lower the setting, the more energy you’ll save. Besides having “green” benefits, it will also prolong your machine’s life by reducing waste heat. So go to your home office and check if all your electronic devices are turned off and if not… well, you know what to do…
Comments
Got something to say?