Ways to Go Green: Technology

Tip 61:

Unplug cell phone chargers.Only 5 percent of the power a cell phone charger uses actually works to perform the charge. So it's best to unplug it when not in use rather than add to the world's pollution created with that wasted energy.

$ Factor:If may seem insignificant, but every little bit of saved energy adds up to electric bill savings.

Tip 62:

Think before you print.Read through a document before simply printing the whole thing out to handle later. Could you electronically file the information or copy-and-paste only the portions you need and then print out a single page rather than a dozen? With online media, look for the printer-friendly button so that the article uses as few pages as possible. And for documents that must look a certain way, always use the "print preview" button first.

$ Factor:Depending on the project, you could save reams of paper as well as expensive printer ink.

Tip 63:

Read online media.Many publications have online versions that include much or all of the content found in print, as well as extra online features, so tree-saving advocates don't have to miss out on their news. A University of California, Berkeley, study found that reading a newspaper on a personal digital assistant as compared to a print version resulted in less release of CO2.

$ Factor:Because online versions of print newspapers and other publications are often free, making the switch can mean subscription price savings.

Tip 64:

Use Blu-ray discs.Blu-ray discs are half made of paper, so they can be shredded, making them easier to dispose of and recycle than CDs.

$ Factor:The discs cost more, but also hold more than five times the storage capacity of traditional CDs or DVDs.

Tip 65:

Power down your computer.The "sleep mode" reduces energy use by 60 percent to 70 percent, the EPA estimates. As for turning computers on and off, despite a popular misconception, this won't harm the equipment. It will, however, save energy as long as the computer will be inactive for 16 minutes or more. If your job doesn't require constant computer use, break the habit of turning it on first thing and keeping it on all day.

$ Factor:When "Mr. Electricity" Michael Bluejay calculated two extreme examples of what it would cost to run a computer -- one high-end computer that's left on 24/7, and one that uses less energy to begin with and runs just two hours a day -- he found that the first would cost $405 a year to run. The other? Just $5.50.

Tip 66:

Unplug electronic appliances.When not in use, DVD players, televisions, stereos, printers, scanners and other appliances continue using a small amount of power.

$ Factor:In the average home, three-quarters of the electricity used to power home electronics is consumed while the products are off. So unplugging can mean electric bill savings.

Tip 67:

Don't buy what you don't need.The latest technology gadgets and machines come with all sorts of tempting bells and whistles, but continuing to use what you already have for a similar purpose is the most earth-friendly action. And when a piece of technology breaks, compare repair costs to replacement.

$ Factor:In avoiding technology temptations, your bank account will thank you.

Tip 68:

Do away with cordless.If you need to buy a new phone for a bedroom or home office, consider buying one with a cord. You'll save about 28 kwh of energy per phone annually. Standard corded phones consume little energy, while cordless units draw constant power during charging and standby modes.

$ Factor:If 5 percent of U.S. households chose one corded phone over the cordless model, the energy savings would total 140 million kilowatt hours annually -- enough talk time to keep 130,000 teens' phone lines busy for every waking hour of the summer.

Tip 69:

Donate old cellular phones.You can donate your phone to a charity or sell it to a third-party recycler. Less than 1 percent of all cell phones are currently recycled and there are 500 million used cell phones not being used in the U.S. alone. About 130 million cell phones get tossed every year. Soon, there will be as many discarded every year as are purchased. Unfortunately, the final resting place for many trashed electronics, like cell phones and old computers, is the third world. But this just shifts the burden because these toxic items are often incinerated; sending fumes into the air and the fumes just travel right back here to this country. Yuck!

$ Factor:You can get a tax deduction for the phone's value or get hard money for it from the recycler.

Tip 70:

Consider digital storage.Try using digital storage, such as USB drives. These compact devices, which can transfer large amounts of data between computers, are growing in popularity. According to the research firm Gartner, by 2008, the number of these drives shipped will have increased to 155 million per year (up from 110 million in 2007.)

$ Factor:USB drives can save space and paper normally earmarked for filing. That means less need for filing supplies.

Tip 71:

Send e-cards.They're better and cheaper than traditional print ones. Most greeting cards bought in the U.S. each year aren't recycled. For many recipients, it's the message that counts more than the medium. Not to mention, animated e-cards are just plain fun.

$ Factor:Birthdays and other occasions deserving of a greeting come up often, so sticking with free e-cards means savings at the store and at the post office.

Tip 72:

Download your software.With more than 1 billion unwanted computer disks being thrown away per year, that's a huge mountain of waste, not the mention the packing material -- 55 million boxes. Most software can be downloaded online.

$ Factor:Most downloadable software available online is less expensive than buying it in a store or even ordering online. The manufacturers save on transportation and distribution costs and don't have to split the profit with middlemen.

Tip 73:

Send plantable greetings.These cards, which grow when placed or buried in the backyard, are available from companies such as Green Field Paper Co. and Bloomin' Flower Cards.

$ Factor:These cards cost about the same as regular greeting cards and come in a variety of designs.

Tip 74:

Use recyclable cameras.When an occasion calls for a single-use camera, look for take-back programs. Kodak, for example, has designed its one-time use cameras so that consumers drop the entire camera off for developing. That photofinisher is then encouraged -- through reimbursements and paid shipping costs -- to send the camera back to Kodak for remanufacturing. Kodak claims to have recycled more than 800 million single-use cameras since introducing its program in 1990. Fujifilm also has a take-back program.

$ Factor:Single-use cameras can't be beat for convenience and worry-free picture snapping on the go. Companies with take-back programs don't seem to have passed along any additional expenses to consumers, as these cameras are price-competitive.

Tip 75:

Use solar-powered chargers.Energy stored from exposure to sunlight can recharge an average phone, MP3 player, digital camera or PDA once or twice. Besides being better for the environment, these devices free users to charge up from anywhere.

$ Factor:It's free to use the sun's energy, and devices such as the Solio Hybrid Solar Charger can be purchased for a small investment (about $100).

Tip 76:

Think green on computers.When considering a computer brand and model, seek products created for reduced toxin use, that use recycled materials and that prioritize life-cycle management issues. The Energy Star symbol is an easy way to identify energy efficient products, but electricity isn't the only factor to consider. The Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool, or EPEAT, system rates particular computers on 23 criteria. Consumers can access the EPEAT product registry and purchase products with gold, silver and bronze certifications notes at Buy.com. Greenpeace International's Guide to Greener Electronics ranks leading mobile and personal computer, or PC, manufacturers on their global policies and practice on eliminating harmful chemicals and on taking responsibility for products once consumers discard them.

$ Factor:While finding out which tech products harm the environment least can be difficult, the good news is that these products generally don't cost more. And with Energy Star computers using 70 percent less electricity than computers without that designation, equipment runs cooler and won't have to be replaced as often.

Tip 77:

Go low on high-tech.Skip the high-end capabilities on computers and monitors. Sure, features such as high-end video and sound, faster processors, more RAM and larger displays boost the entertainment value of the machine, but they also add up to higher energy consumption.

$ Factor:Live without these capabilities, and live with lower electric bills.

Tip 78:

Buy small.A "small form factor" or low-profile computer will usually consume less energy than a full-sized desktop or mini tower. And for the average user, the larger machines with expansion options, such as additional plug-in cards, aren't necessary,

$ Factor:A computer that's not as souped up will also be not as pricey.

Tip 79:

Go mobile for computing.Notebook computers use less energy than desktops. Energy consumption determines how long a notebook's battery will last, so manufacturers have placed a high priority on energy-efficient displays and other features.

$ Factor:Comparing one 30-watt powerful notebook to a 120-watt desktop PC, the energy savings could be up to 80 percent, according to Energy Star. Although notebooks are often pricier, the lifetime energy savings can well make them more cost effective.

Tip 80:

Shop warranties on electronics.Product repair is almost always better for the environment than product replacement, and a good warranty lessens the inconvenience of getting a device fixed. While manufacturers have made warranties less valuable to consumers in recent years, particularly by shortening their length, some brands do still offer decent policies on free warranties. Be sure to read the fine print and save any necessary packaging and registration information.

$ Factor:Utilizing a warranty can mean free or low-cost repair and may include shipping.

Tip 81:

Seek 'take-back' computers.These programs allow used computers to be returned to the manufacturer or a designated company for recycling or donation to a charity, in exchange for credit. The incentive is helping to solve a major problem: The EPA estimates that only 12.5 percent of the 2.63 million tons of e-waste in 2005 was collected for recycling.

$ Factor:Two take-back program examples, according to the August 2007 Computer Take Back Campaign Report: Dell takes back any Dell product for free and HP charges for recycling but offers e-coupons for new HP product purchases that cover most or all of the recycling cost.

Tip 82:

Buy inkjet printers.And choose remanufactured cartridges rather than virgin ones. Inkjets use 80 percent to 90 percent less energy than laser printers and often have excellent print quality.

$ Factor:The cost of ink adds up, but inkjets generally cost a lot less initially. Remanufactured cartridges are cheaper and refilling existing cartridges cuts costs further. Not only did an Epson-commissioned study find that as much as 60 percent of ink in a typical cartridge gets wasted when the printer claims it's out of ink, but ink refill kits can save a user up to 80 percent on ink costs. Inkjets are energy-wise, too, saving up to 90 percent on printer energy costs.

Tip 83:

Recycle electronics.Be conscious of other electronics recycling methods that may be available. Some towns collect computer monitors and televisions for recycling through ongoing and one-day collections.

$ Factor:When shipping isn't a factor, recycling the computer is easier and the collections may be free.

Tip 84:

Trade in electronics.Many manufacturers and retailers, including Best Buy and Circuit City, have partnerships with Dealtree.com that allow customers to trade in working desktops, iPods, digital cameras, digital camcorders and other electronic devices for credit or gift cards.

$ Factor:Visiting the trade-in site for a participating company, consumers can plug their device into a trade-in value calculator to find out its worth.