How to Be Environmentally Conscious Whilst Using Technology

Let’s face it, in today’s modern world we can’t imagine life without technology. No matter how environmentally conscious we are, taking technology out of the equation completely is simply not an option. Imagine life without your smart phone, tablet, laptop, TV and kitchen gadgets, scary right! However, there are several steps you can take to make your techie life just a tad more environmentally friendly.

Buy Eco-Friendly Products

Technological advancements have also been made precisely for their eco-friendly qualities. Why not consider buying into one of the following technologies? Some even end up saving you money! Always remember to look for that eco-friendly sticker. You should also ensure the company behind your chosen product adheres to environmental regulations, such as being ISO 17025 compliant or equivalent, for example.

Replace Your Bulbs

According to 50WaysToHelp.com, if every homeowner in the US were to replace a single standard light bulb with the compact fluorescent variety, it would equal the removal of one million cars from American highways.

These bulbs may require a larger up-front investment but they last much longer and save you money in the long run. They don’t use as much energy – some bulbs use as little as 1/10^th of the standard bulb.

Turn Technology Off at Night!

Technology is incredibly helpful while we’re actually awake but why do we insist on keeping our computers running while we sleep? Unless you’re doing a data backup, this is just a waste of money and not particularly friendly towards the environment.

So before you hit the sack, make sure you turn off your techie items. Whether it’s your computer, television or already fully charged iPod, don’t leave them running overnight!

Wash in Cold or Warm

Our washing machines have made cleaning clothes a snap but they’re not exactly efficient. In terms of oil waste, it’s enough to make you feel guilty and stop using them altogether.

Instead of taking your washing machine to the nearest landfill, think about using the cold or warm-cold cycle instead of the high-temperature one. If every single household in the US would do this, we’d save 100,000 barrels of oil per day.

Offset Technology Use: Plant a Tree!

Some technological products are necessary for our day-to-day lives – they’ll always have a slight impact on the environment, no matter what we do. In order to offset this, why not think about planting a tree?

It’s good for the air, the plants, and if you plant the tree near your home it can save on your air conditioning bills by providing a little bit of shade!

Buy Second-Hand Technology

Do you really need to buy a brand new laptop or phone? Second-hand doesn’t necessarily mean an older version or something that’s subpar in quality – there are plenty of products out there that are ‘as new’ but have been put back on the market for one reason or another.

So save yourself some money and recycle technology by buying in the second-hand market. It not only helps the environment, but also means you can buy more technology with less money!

Recycle Your Phone

We all like getting our hands on the newest iPhone or Android model, but what about our old phones? On average, cell phones last 18 months each. If all of these are sent to landfills, just imagine the toxic waste being introduced into the environment from the batteries.

Instead, look online for a local phone recycler. Some national programs even give you free postage – so you have no excuse! Alternatively, if the phone still has some juice left in it, why not give it to someone for free?