Green Electronics FAQ's

Q: What are Green Electronics?

A: Green electronics and green computers are advanced product designs, technology and manufacturing processes that have less impact on the environment while providing better overall value for the consumer in areas of energy efficiency, cleaner materials and longer product life.

Q: Why should I own Green Electronics and Computers?

A: Owning green electronics and green computers can save up to 60% of your home electronics energy consumption, typically wasted by non-green electronics; most of which is expended when they're sitting idle or turned off (just feel the heat [energy] coming off your TV, computer or cable box). Green electronics are also manufactured with safer materials that have reduced or eliminated chemicals like lead, mercury and brominated flame retardants, all of which emit airborne toxins that are linked to human health issues like cancer.

Q: Why are Green Electronics and Computers better for the environment?

A: Green Electronics designs and manufacturing processes are optimized to reduce energy consumption, use less natural resources, increase the use of reclaimed materials, reduce waste, and reduce or eliminate toxic substances like lead, mercury and brominated flame retardants which are harmful to both the environment and human health.

Q: How much energy do electronics and computers consume in my household?

A: According to a recent CEA report, consumer electronics and computers account for approximately 15% of your household energy consumption of which 50% - 60% of that energy is used when these devices are sitting idle or turned off. Considering the average U.S. household now owns approximately 27 consumer electronics devices (and growing), it’s expected that over the next 5 years this percentage will increase to 20%, which is the same energy consumption used for heating/ cooling, or lighting our homes.

Q: Aren't Green Electronics and Computers more expensive?

A: No, In fact green electronics and green computers are typically less expensive when you consider the total cost of ownership. They don’t cost any more to buy than non-green electronics and with green design in mind they save on energy costs, last longer and in many cases provide additional trade-up value. There’s really no reason not to own green electronics or green computers.

Q: Aren't Green Electronics and Computers inferior products?

A: No, it’s quite the opposite. Many leading consumer electronics and computer manufacturers like Toshiba, HP, Apple, Fujitsu, Dell, Panasonic, Sharp and others are making significant advancements in green electronics design. This has spawned many new methods and technologies that increase product performance and extend product life through less heat, less weight and less wear and tear.

Graduation Gift Ideas: Green Electronics

Welcome to Which Green Electronics?, your one-stop resource for the perfect graduation gift idea of all graduation gift ideas: Green Electronics, including eco-friendly and energy-efficient laptops, flat-screen LCD monitors, HDTVs and more!

Good graduation gift ideas that are personalized, unique, and/or thoughtful make your graduate feel so very special.

Some great graduation gift ideas are Green Electronics, such as Energy Star certified laptops, telephones, printers, flat-screen LCD monitors and HDTVs and more. These can be the perfect gifts for any graduate, principally because they can benefit more than just one person in the family, they save you money on energy costs and they are better for the environment.

Just take HDTVs for example. Flat-Panel LCD & Plasma HDTVs are becoming more and more popular this year as it becomes more and more affordable to convert your living or family room into your own home theater. Flat-Panel HDTV 's are the perfect gifts for anyone or any family. While they are not inexpensive, they are high-quality products that will provide you and your family entertainment and more for years to come. In addition, they are backed by Energy Star approval, which means they are environmentally friendly and energy efficient, saving you money on energy bills. To learn more about Energy Star, click here.

Which Green Electronics?'s product recommendations will provide you with the right graduation gift ideas for your family and friends. Which Green Electronics? named the following products the best and top-ranked HDTV 's after extensive product testing of all top competitor offerings. Please consider your room's size requirements or limitations when considering to buy an HDTV.

Which Green Electronics? named the following products the best and top-ranked laptops after extensive product testing of all top competitor offerings.

Which Green Electronics? has also tested and selected a number of other products in different categories that are top-quality best-sellers AND energy efficient, including printers, phones, LCD monitors and more. Please free to browse this site for other Which Green Electronics? selections and recommendations.

Amazon.com: Best Place to Buy Green Electronics

While there are hundreds of different retail stores and online companies offering a diverse range of green electronics and accesories, including TV's, Home and Audio Theaters, Printers, Desktops, Laptops and more, the best place to find and purchase these products remains Amazon.com.

Amazon.com not only has the widest variety of green, eco-friendly and Energy Star electronics and accessories, but also almost always offers the best prices. When you combine that with the free shipping offer on purchases over $25, this makes for a great deal overall.

After extensive product testing of the top green product offerings, Which Green Electronics? has selected a number of products within each product category that it recommends for you to consider. Amazon.com carries all of these green electronics and accesories. Please check out the following descriptions for these products.

Which Green Electronics? named the following products the best and top-ranked HDTV 's after extensive product testing of all top competitor offerings. Please consider your room's size requirements or limitations when considering to buy an HDTV.

Which Green Electronics? named the following products the best and top-ranked laptops after extensive product testing of all top competitor offerings.

Which Green Electronics? has also tested and selected a number of other products in different categories that are top-quality best-sellers AND energy efficient, including printers, phones, LCD monitors and more. Please free to browse this site for other Which Green Electronics? selections and recommendations.

Birthday Gift Ideas: Green Electronics

Welcome to Which Green Electronics?, your one-stop resource for the perfect birthday gift idea of all birthday gift ideas: Green Electronics, including eco-friendly and energy-efficient laptops, flat-screen LCD monitors, HDTVs and more!

Good birthday gift ideas that are personalized, unique, and/or thoughtful make the recipient feel so very special.

Some great birthday gift ideas are Green Electronics, such as Energy Star certified laptops, telephones, printers, flat-screen LCD monitors and HDTVs and more. These can be the perfect gifts for anyone of any age, principally because they can benefit more than just one person in the family, they save you money on energy costs and they are better for the environment.

Just take HDTVs for example. Flat-Panel LCD & Plasma HDTVs are becoming more and more popular this year as it becomes more and more affordable to convert your living or family room into your own home theater. Flat-Panel HDTV 's are the perfect gifts for anyone or any family. While they are not inexpensive, they are high-quality products that will provide you and your family entertainment and more for years to come. In addition, they are backed by Energy Star approval, which means they are environmentally friendly and energy efficient, saving you money on energy bills. To learn more about Energy Star, click here.

Which Green Electronics?'s product recommendations will provide you with the right birthday gift ideas for your family and friends. Which Green Electronics? named the following products the best and top-ranked HDTV 's after extensive product testing of all top competitor offerings. Please consider your room's size requirements or limitations when considering to buy an HDTV.

Which Green Electronics? named the following products the best and top-ranked laptops after extensive product testing of all top competitor offerings.

Which Green Electronics? has also tested and selected a number of other products in different categories that are top-quality best-sellers AND energy efficient, including printers, phones, LCD monitors and more. Please free to browse this site for other Which Green Electronics? selections and recommendations.

Christmas Gift Ideas: Flat-Panel HDTV 's & Other Green Electronics

Welcome to Which Green Electronics?, your one-stop resource for the perfect family Christmas gift idea of all Christmas gift ideas: Flat-Panel HDTV 's!

Christmas is fast approaching and it's time to prepare and start thinking about your Christmas Gifts. Use Which Green Electronics?'s product recommendations to avoid the Christmas rush and do your Christmas shopping from the comfort of your own home and through the security of Amazon.com.

Flat-Panel LCD & Plasma HDTV 's are becoming more and more popular this year as it becomes more and more affordable to convert your living or family room into your own home theater.

Flat-Panel HDTV 's are the perfect gifts for anyone or any family. While they are not inexpensive, they are high-quality products that will provide you and your family entertainment and more for years to come. In addition, they are backed by Energy Star approval, which means they are environmentally friendly and energy efficient, saving you money on energy bills. T0 learn more about Energy Star, click here.

Which Green Electronics?'s product recommendations will provide you with the right Christmas gift ideas for the family in your life.

Which Green Electronics? named the following products the best and top-ranked HDTV 's after extensive product testing of all top competitor offerings. Please consider your room's size requirements or limitations when considering to buy an HDTV.

Which Green Electronics? has also tested and selected a number of other products in different categories that are top-quality best-sellers AND energy efficient, including printers, phones, laptops, LCD panels and more. Please free to browse this site for other Which Green Electronics? selections and recommendations.

Green Standards

Green Standards

These are the most common guiding principles and compliance standards that classify an electronics and computer product and its manufacturer to be considered green or greener.

Efficiency - Product is Energy Efficient

Product is ENERGY STAR® qualified

ENERGY STAR® is a joint program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of Energy helping us all save money and protect the environment through energy efficient products and practices. Energy efficient choices save families about one third on their energy bill with similar savings in greenhouse gas emissions. An ENERGY STAR® product does not sacrifice features, style or comfort. More on ENERGY STAR®

Product power supply is 80 PLUS™ certified

The 80 PLUS® performance specification requires power supplies in computers and servers to be 80% or greater in energy efficiency at 20%, 50% and 100% of the rated load, with a true power factor of 0.9 or greater. This makes an 80 PLUS® certified power supply substantially more efficient than current power supplies and creates a unique market differentiation opportunity for power supply and computer manufacturers.

Product operates using alternative energy sources i.e. Solar, Wind, Wind-Up

Alternative or renewable energy refers to the harnessing of clean and unlimited power sources like the sun, wind, water or even human power and converting that power into electricity through a device or system. Renewable energy is clean energy and does not emit any CO2 emmisions associated with global warming.

Content Product materials are less hazardous to human health and the environment

Product is RoHS compliant (Restricted use of Hazardous Substances)

RoHS is a European legislative initiative that on July 1, 2006 restricted the use of six hazardous materials found in electrical and electronic products deemed harmful or toxic to human health and the overall environment. With some exceptions RoHS compliant products do not contain any Lead, Cadmium, Mercury, Hexavalent Chromium, Polybrominated Biphenyl and Polybrominated Biphenyl Ethers. Although not legislated in the U.S., consumers still benefit from many manufacturers who sell their products globally and have transitioned their overall manufacturing standards to meet the RoHS compliance standard.

EPEAT™ Computers and Monitors are EPEAT Registered

EPEAT™ (Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool) is an EPA sponsored not-for profit organization that has united industry, government and environmental organizations to participate in and promote the adoption of EPEAT registered computer products. Learn more

Manufacturers submit and register their computer products with EPEAT declaring compliance with the IEEE 1680-2006 environmental standard for electronics. This standard is based on a product meeting or exceeding extensive criteria of the following environmental attributes:

- Reduction/elimination of environmentally sensitive materials
- Materials selection
- Design for end of life
- Product longevity/life cycle extension
- Energy conservation
- End of life management
- Corporate performance
- Packaging

Additonal considerations for evaluating green electronics, computers and manufacturers:

Stewardship
- Company has environmental charter
- Company has a published environmental mission with goals and objectives
- Company has environmental policies, practices and incentives for employees and suppliers
- Company publishes an annual environmental report card or audit of its progress

Optimization
- Product design, manufacturing and delivery reduce environmental footprint
- Product design advances multi-functionality while reducing size, weight and material waste
- Packaging materials are reduced and are made from or incorporate recycled materials
- Product life is extended through new technologies and/or upgrades

Repurposed
-Product has responsible end-of-life programs
- Manufacturer offers or sponsors end of life, take
-back or recycling programs
- Products and packaging are recycled, reclaimed and reused
- Product lifecycle is extended through refurbishment, resale, reuse or donation


For more information, visit http://greenelectronics.com/GREEN-SPECS.asp.

ReGreen: What to Do with Old Electronics and Computers?

ReGreen

Find complete and easy solutions to responsibly trade-in, trade-up, repurpose, recycle, sell or donate your old computers, computer hardware and consumer electronics.

Recycle

rethink - eBay and industry partners provide information, tools and solutions that make it easy to sell, donate, or recycle used computers and electronics.

Earth 911 - Find local public and private recycling locations and events for your electronics, computer hardware, appliances and other household products.

Call2Recycle - Find one of 1000's of local drop-boxes for free disposal of your old cell phones and batteries from cordless phones, power tools, toys, etc.

Earth 911 for Business - Information and resources for integrating waste management techniques and repurpose solutions into your daily business practices that help improve the bottom line, the environment and your community.

Donate to Schools and Charities - Get A Tax Deduction

National Cristina Foundation - Directs donations of used computer equipment to non profit organizations, schools and public agencies to help people with disadvantages, disabilities and students at risk lead more independent and productive lives.

CALL TO PROTECT - A national program enabling people to repurpose their cell phones to domestic violence agencies. In addition funds generated are used as campaign contributions to end domestic violence.

Raise Funds - Cell Phone & Battery Collection Programs

Phones4Charity - Launch a used cell phone and battery collection event at school or work and raise funds for your favorite charity while helping the environment too. You can also donate your phone to charity for free.

ECOMOTO - Motorola's Race to Recycle Program is a simple to manage cell phone collection program that helps raise funds for your school programs. All materials and shipping costs are provided.

Sell or Trade your Electronics for Cash

Second Rotation is impacting the problem of e-waste by purchasing unwanted gadgets and putting them into the hands of people who still value them. This extends their useful life rather than having them end up in landfills. Even if an item has no market value Second Rotation ensures it is recycled responsibly.

Trade-in your old electronics products for PayPal cash. Get an instant estimate on a variety of used electronics, send it in with a prepaid shipping label and then get a PayPal payment within 7 days.

rethink - Enables you to sell or trade your old electronics on eBay or have a trading assistant do it for you.

Trade-in/ Trade Up Programs with Manufacturers

Apple - Provides FREE recycling of your old computer and monitor — regardless of manufacturer if you purchase a new, qualifying Apple Computer. Apple also provides a 10% discount on new iPods for trading in a used iPod for recycling or repurposing.

Dell - Offers FREE recycling of any Dell-branded Product. Also, if you buy a new Dell computer and select the free recycling option at time of purchase, they will recycle your old PC and monitor for FREE, regardless of brand.

HP's Planet Partners - Recycling service provides an easy way to recycle computer equipment, rechargeable batteries or HP printing supplies. HP's state-of-the-art processes ensure that unwanted hardware or empty HP printing supplies are recycled responsibly.

Sony's Notebook Trade-In Program - Use the on-line calculator to estimate the value of your old Sony notebook computer. Use the credit for a new VAIO notebook or other Sony product purchased online at SonyStyle.com or at Sony Style retail and outlet stores.

Lenovo ThinkPlus Recycling Service - Recycle any manufacturer's PCs, including system units, monitors, printers and optional attachments for $30.00, which includes shipping. They also offer a trade-in allowance for many business IT products through their IBM Asset Recovery Solutions program

Toshiba Trade-In and Recycling Program - Provides you with a way to trade-in or recycle used, working, technology products in exchange for a refund by mail. If your item is no longer functioning, or has no trade-in value, it can be responsibly recycled for the cost of shipping only

Gateway Trade-In Program - Offers you cash for your old technology with proof of purchase of a new Gateway or eMachines product. If it has no trade-in value, it can be responsibly recycled for the cost of shipping only.

NEC TOTAL TRADE - Makes is simple for individuals and businesses to remove and dispose of currently deployed technology products as part of an upgrade to new NEC Display Solutions

Tax Incentives & Rebates for Energy Saving Products

DSIRE - A comprehensive source of incentive and rebate information for federal, state, local and utility incentives that promotes purchasing renewable energy and energy efficient products

For more information, visit http://greenelectronics.com/ReGreen.asp.