According to Climate Savers Computing there are three simple steps you can do to be more eco-friendly with your computer at home and at work.  

1.  Use power management.  They say half of the energy consumed by a desktop computer is wasted as heat.  Power management features are easy to implement and can save nearly half a ton of CO2 in a year.

2. The next time you’re in the market for a new computer, buy one that has the Energy Star seal of approval.  The most energy efficient computers are Apple Laptops, called MacBooks.   Simply by purchasing Energy Star computers and equipment could save more than $1.8 billion in energy costs over the next 5 years.

3. Finally, invest in a “smart power strip.”  These are power strips that will automatically switch the devices on or off depending on how you have them plugged in.  They have an “always on” section.  When electricity is not needed by peripherals not in the “always on” section, then power is cut.  For example, your printer would not draw any power until your computer sent something to be printed, then the smart strip would power up.  Climate Savers Computing says you can save as much as 10% in your energy bill by using a smart strip.

One final tidbit:  there is a font that uses “up to 20% less ink” called Ecofont.  This will save you in ink cartridges and ink toner which means fewer empty cartridges going to a landfill.

This post is part of our Earth Day series.  Other posts in this series are:                           

                           Easiest Ways to Go Green at Work 
                           The Truth About Eco-Friendly Web Design
                           The Truth About Eco-Friendly Web Hosting

In honor of Earth Day our posts this week will have an Earth-Friendly theme.  To start off the week, I've put together a short list of the easiest things you can do at work to be more eco-friendly.   They are small, easy changes that add up to big returns!

Turn out the lights   An empty room with a light on is wasted energy.  Turn out the lights when you leave the restroom or meeting rooms.  Adding task lighting at your desk and turning out over-head lights is another great way to save some green!

Use reuseable containers instead of disposables  Keep rubbish out of landfills by keeping your own reusable plate, bowl, silverware and glass at your desk. 

Bring your lunch to work  Instead of driving home or driving to a restaurant bring your own in reusable containers that you can take home and refill each day!

Set your default printer settings to duplex  First of all, try to get by without printing.  But when you do print, make sure you are using as little paper as possible!  Setting your default printer settings to duplex saves every time you print!

Turn off (at least) your monitor when you leave for the day   Even better is getting a smart strip, but the easiest is just shutting off the power.  

Bring a plant to work  Plants are natural air filters and produce fresh oxygen!  Plus they add ambience!  The three best plants for offices are the Areca Palm, the Snake Plant (a.k.a. Mother-in-law's tongue) and the Money Plant (a.k.a. philodendron).

This post is part of our Earth Day series.  Other posts in this series are:                           

                           The Truth About Eco-Friendly Web Hosting
                           The Truth About Eco-Friendly Web Design
                           Three Computer Energy Savers