At Toolfarm, we’re critical concerning the surroundings and really feel that day-after-day ought to be Earth Day. Listed here are some inexperienced ideas for you media professionals for decreasing your carbon footprint. Some could also be doable for you. Heck, you’re most likely already doing a lot of these items. A few of that is fairly apparent but it surely’s price repeating. Each little bit counts!
By shopping for from Toolfarm, you’re already making a distinction as a result of the overwhelming majority of our merchandise are downloadable. You’re not solely saving cash, however you’re saving vitality. Most merchandise we promote do not need the necessity to use gasoline transport merchandise across the globe. Additionally, Toolfarm’s San Francisco workplace is solar-powered!
This text breaks issues down into two classes, utilizing much less vitality and saving sources. Most of those concepts will not be new and also you most likely already know a number of these items, so consider it as a reminder to be the greenest you may be!
Vitality Utilization vs. Sources
It’s vital to distinguish the place vitality use comes into play. To place it merely:
- Swap them off. Computer systems use essentially the most vitality if you’re utilizing them, so be conscious to not depart them on after they don’t have to be on. A pc turned off makes use of a minimum of 65% much less vitality than a pc left on or idle on a display screen saver. [Source: Sustainability at Georgetown University)
- Phones and tablets don’t use much power at all on a daily basis, however, the manufacturing of the phones takes a lot of power and resources. The best thing you can do is to NOT get a new phone each year but to use the one you have for 4-5 years.
Easy Ways to Save Energy
Today’s computers and monitors are much more energy-efficient than those giant ones from the 90s. Case in point…
That said, there are still several easy things that you can do to save energy that won’t impact your work much.
Turn off your computer and your lights when you’re not using them.
The chart below shows the energy usage and comes from StandbyPower.
Turn off screen savers and use low-power mode
The days of flying toasters are long gone. Instead, use low-power mode when possible.
Unplug wall warts and gear that you rarely use.
If you have something plugged in that is not being used, it’s just a waste. For example, standby power accounts for 10% of a home’s electricity use, says Berkley Lab. In addition, Energy Star has a report on this topic and it’s eye-opening. Read it here.
Buying a new computer?
Look for the Energy Star logo. Need information on Energy Star-rated computers?
Use LED lights in your workspace.
They use 85% less energy, according to the NY Times. LED’s also last longer and they don’t produce heat. Read more about the benefits of LED lighting. Better yet, use natural light from a window.
According to Sustainability at Georgetown University, compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) use 75% less energy than incandescent. If you haven’t swapped out those old bulbs yet, it’s time. And, CFLs can last up to 10 times longer.
Meet virtually and turn off your camera.
Of course, it will save fuel, but did you know that turning off your video on a zoom call can save 96% on your energy footprint? According to a study from Perdue University, “Just one hour of videoconferencing or streaming, for example, emits 150-1,000 grams of carbon dioxide (a gallon of gasoline burned from a car emits about 8,887 grams), requires 2-12 liters of water and demands a land area adding up to about the size of an iPad Mini.” Read more at Science Daily.
Buy clean energy from your power company.
First, it’s helpful to know your carbon footprint.
And, yes, you can get your power from wind and solar sources without installing panels yourself. Learn more at Energy.gov or the EPA. You can also do an energy audit of your office or home to see where you can save energy.
Turn down the heat or A/C
Wear a sweater or a t-shirt to be comfortable. Your mother agrees.
Saving Resources: Fix, Recycle, or Donate Old Equipment
Fixing your old gear
Fixing is always cheaper than buying something new. Most of us are heavy computer users and we do get our machines serviced when needed. However, I don’t need to tell you the sad reality that computers and phones become obsolete pretty quickly. It’s often not worth fixing or updating them. In that case, read on.
Check out the All Connect Guide on Where to Donate and Recycle Used Electronics.
Where to Donate Old Gear
- Some charities will take old working gear and refurbish it. I have a few suggestions below.
- My local women’s shelter takes old working cell phones and gives them to women who are in bad situations. Of course, wipe your phone first!
- Try your local Buy Nothing Project. We gave my daughter’s Chromebook to a college student, and she was extremely grateful. Again, just wipe your personal data first. The Buy Nothing Project is a great way to give away pretty much anything you don’t want: furniture, clothing, sports equipment. Just yesterday I scored a donut maker and today I have someone picking up a button maker that we don’t use!
- The Freecycle Network is another national group where you can give your old items away to those who want or need them.
- Goodwill also accepts computer donations, working with GoodTech and Dell ReConnect.
- The Balance Small Business has a great list of places to donate old equipment.
- In addition, buy second-hand when you can. If you don’t need the latest and greatest gear, you can score some gently used equipment online if you do your research.
Recycle your old gear
If your computer is just too far gone for anyone to use, many computer and phone shops will let you drop off old electronics for recycling. Earth911 is a database for finding places to recycle your old equipment.
Buy recycled office supplies and cleaning products.
For example, you can buy sticky notes and pencils that use recycled materials. Recycled printer and toner cartridges have been available for years. Heck, you can even try refilling them yourself!
Make some artwork!
I’ve made keychains from outdated RAM chips. These make good items for the geekier buddies in your life.
Should you’re not an artist, you would possibly get fortunate and discover an artist who reuses laptop gear of their artwork tasks.
Try these artwork tasks made with recycled laptop gear. I really like this winged insect sculpture.
Find out how to Save Timber and Breathe Simpler
Recycle workplace paper, unsolicited mail, and so on.
Do you know that it takes 24 timber to make one ton of workplace paper?
Based on information from the International Forest Useful resource Evaluation roughly 80,000 to 160,000 timber are reduce down every day all over the world with a big share getting used within the paper business.
You may also purchase paper constructed from recycled paper. As a substitute of paper towels, use reusable towels for the bogs. Should you’re working remotely from house, you’re most likely already doing this.
Go paperless.
Don’t print paperwork that you just don’t want. These PDF manuals that you just get along with your downloaded software program? You would possibly assume twice earlier than printing them. Maintain them digital (and searchable!)
Put a plant (or 5!) in your workplace.
Apart from the truth that they give the impression of being good, there are a number of advantages of getting greenery round your workplace. Vegetation can take away dangerous pollution from the air. Additionally they enhance productiveness and your mind-set. After all, for those who work in a darkish edit bay with no home windows, that might not be the very best place to maintain your plant alive. Be taught extra about why you want vegetation in your workspace.
Here’s a record of indoor vegetation which can be straightforward to care for. Sizzling tip! Don’t pour your leftover espresso within the planter.
