 |
|
BANG FOR THE BITE
If 10,000 B(y)ters opt for a computer with a mercury-free LCD screen, we'll avoid about 40 fever thermometers' worth of mercury.
COCKTAIL FACT
Moore's Law: Computer technology tends to double in complexity every 18-24 mo.
| SAVE TO MY BITES |  |
FORWARD TO A FRIEND:
RATE THIS TIP:
How useful is this tip to you?
(5 is the highest)
home › tip library › Green PCs
How low can you go?
The Bite
Pretty low if you're talking PC energy, it turns out. The newest computers on the market are also the greenest computers on the market as more manufacturers decided to get down with planet-friendliness.The Benefits
- Low waste. Manufacturers are using recycled plastic in computers and packaging, and making sure components are easily recyclable when they become obsolete.
- Lower caustic chem levels. Companies are phasing out chems like the human toxins arsenic and mercury, found in typical PC screens.
- Even lower energy use. If we replaced all the old computers in the United States with new Energy Star-qualified ones, it'd be like taking more than 2.7 mil cars off the road over the computers' lifetimes.
Personally Speaking
Everyone on the Bite team uses laptops instead of more energy-intensive desktops, which saves big on bills and allows for more "offsite meetings" at our favorite watering holes.Wanna Try?
- MacBook Air and Mac Mini - made from mostly recyclable materials without mercury or arsenic and PVC-free circuit boards, they meet all Energy Star power-efficiency requirements ($599 and up).
- HP rp5700 Desktop PC - Windows-based, low-energy comps that incorporate recycled plastic; estimated to last a couple years longer than most PCs ($699 and up).
- Zonbu Desktop Mini - Linux operating system-based computer that needs just 10W of power; the company carbon offsets all computers and offers free recycling at the end of its life ($99 and up plus monthly fee).
May 01,2008
Sponsor
All editorial suggestions in this tip are the result of testing and a preference for the tip topic. No advertiser has paid to have its company referenced in the tip. For more information, please read our Editorial Policy.
Five PC Tips for the Rest of Us
Not looking to buy a new computer? Check out these 5 tips to eco-fy your current PC:
2. Decrease your Microsoft Word margins.
3. Clean your keyboard without chemicals.
4. Recycle printer cartridges.
5. Set up draft mode on your printer.
-Toshio...off to shut down...
Biter Comments...
I have my PC (a desktop; don't have a laptop) set to the "Energy Star" power setting. During the day, when I'm not using it, I'll put it into "Hibernate" mode. More recently, when I'm done using my computer for the day, I'll shut it down completely rather than put it into "Hibernate" mode, which is what I always used to do.
Recycling printer cartridges is also a very good idea. Post Office locations have bags with free postage for just that purpose. Also, many office supply superstores, such as Staples, collect used printer cartridges for recycling. Unfortunately, they don't take all brands, at least Staples doesn't, I know because I have a Canon i350 printer, and Staples doesn't take those cartridges. I can't speak for Office Depot and Office Max.
This Bite mentions that the MacBook Air and Mac Mini are "made from mostly recyclable materials without mercury or arsenic and PVC-free circuit boards, they meet all Energy Star power-efficiency requirements" -- anyone know if the regular MacBook or MacBook Pros are made in a similar eco-friendlier way?
A number of blogs have picked up the recent Dell initiatives in the green PC space. I work on a green initiative at Amazon.com in Seattle, and we’re trying to have informed visitors to our site shape a ranked list of the best green products from PCs to printers (and more), so that mainstream consumers can consider green options when shopping. We have a dedicated green CE section but the initiative spans all sorts of areas including food. If anyone would like to add their insights, I’d certainly invite you to add your input at www.amazon.com/green. Cheers.
localcooling looks interesting, but it is PC only :(
Cool tips:
add to that buy 100% recycled paper for printing (not even 8 bucks at Staples!), fill up cartridges with a service like Walgreens, iand use e mail the most you can as it saves paper.
Ciao, en fait, au revoir...
Pascal
I found a cool place where they pick up your computers and all sorts of electronics for free. http://www.ercrecycling.com/
leaving your PC on sleep mode cost you around 30-60KW/month depending on the power supply.
Toronto Condos
If I'm not using my PC, i make sure that it's turned off. I even turn of the power supply and pull out the plugs.
PHOTO ALBUMS
Posted by: Pam | May 01, 2008 at 09:31 AM