Greening your IT Area for Businesses Large and Small
Whether you work from home or you are part of a multi national organisation, there are many simple ways that your work practices can become more sustainable.
One identified major are of concern is IT. Green computing or green IT, refers to environmentally sustainable computing or IT. The goals of green computing are to reduce the use of hazardous materials, maximize energy efficiency during the product's lifetime, and promote the recyclability or biodegradability of defunct products and factory waste.
Below are some of the simple ways you can begin the process to improve your IT sustainability and save a few dollars while you are at it:
- Use Energy Star rated computer equipment. Energy Star estimates that activating power management can result in cost savings of as much as $100 per computer, a significant figure when multiplied by the number of computers in a typical organization.
- Switch off all PCs when they are not in use (preferably at the wall) - at the end of the day, on weekends and during holidays. Ensure all PCs have been set with maximum energy saving parameters in place (link: www.greenbizcheck.com/fact-sheets/efficiency-for-pcs/. You can save around $95 annually per desktop by shutting down after hours.
- Disable all screensavers. Screensavers do NOT save energy - they often use more energy and were originally meant to stop screens being burnt by a constant image (which is no longer necessary). Use our easy step-by-step guide to set optimum power management preferences
- Whenever possible digitally download software programs rather than purchasing the fully packaged product. Digital downloads are more 'green' than purchasing fully packaged products.
- Replace your hardware less often. Only purchase quality hardware with longer life expectancy and avoid inferior, cheaper equipment that will not last as long. Often getting a computer technician to design you a customised computer hardware solution will last you much longer and not be any more expensive.
- Recycle your e-waste. Discard used or unwanted electronic equipment in a convenient and environmentally responsible manner. Computers have toxin metals and pollutants that can emit harmful emissions into the environment. Never discard computers in a landfill. Recycle them instead an ethical e-waste recycling servcie who does not deposit into landfill or send waster overseas to third world countries. Also consider donating still-working computers to a non-profit agency.
These are just a few easy to implement actions your business can take to have greener IT.
For a more comprehensive report for home offices up to large commercial premises with data centres, please contact us at info@greenbizcheck.com.
By Holly McCarthy, GreenBizCheck
