question: How can you make your tech gadgets more environmentally friendly?
answer: Our insatiable appetite for new gadgets comes with many hidden environmental costs that we all need to consider, such as energy consumption and electronic waste.
The energy required to manufacture an average desktop computer can run a refrigerator for about 467 days, and the energy required to manufacture a smartphone can charge that phone 5 to 6,000 times.
Most of this energy is used to produce critical components such as batteries, screens and various circuit boards, as well as to mine the rare metals needed.
When tech gadgets are discarded, only a small portion of the devices are disposed of properly and the majority end up in landfills, further exacerbating the e-waste problem that has been building up over the years.
E-waste is generated five times faster than it can be properly collected and recycled each year.
Biggest Impact: Your Actions
There is no such thing as “low-impact electronics,” so extending the life of your device by repairing or upgrading it, if possible, will have the biggest impact on your problem.
Regular maintenance to keep your gadget performing well, organizing your storage, and replacing your battery are all low-cost options for replacing your gadget.
If your device is no longer of use to you, someone you know or a charity may be able to use it if you don’t wait too long.
The unfortunate reality is that too many devices are shelved during their useful life and discarded after many years, perhaps when they become obsolete.
When disposing of your electronics, find responsible recycling options to keep the toxic materials inside out of landfills.
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dispose of responsibly
Check to see if your city offers electronics disposal options or find an electronics recycler in your area.
In the Phoenix area, all Data Doctors locations serve as drop-off points for AzStrut, a nonprofit reuse/recycling organization.
Choosing environmentally friendly technology
Although slowly, many manufacturers are starting to prioritize eco-friendly recycled materials in their products. Most have set goals to reduce their carbon footprint and increase their use of recycled materials over the next five years.
One of the more interesting approaches in Europe comes from a company called Fairphone, which has developed modular smartphones that can be easily repaired or upgraded. We hope this approach becomes available in the US, as we tend to replace our phones on average every two to three years.
energy star symbol
All high-tech gadgets consume electricity. Finding gadgets that consume less will save you money and help reduce your energy needs.
The Energy Star certification program was introduced in 1992 and represents devices that use 10-50% less energy, so look for it when comparing products.
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second hand market
Buying used or refurbished electronics can be difficult, but when it comes to gadgets with no moving parts, it can be a good way to save money and be kind to the environment.
Refurbished smartphones and tablets that come directly from the manufacturer or from sites that offer some kind of relief are generally safe options.
Ken Colburn is the founder and CEO of Data Doctors Computer Services (datadoctors.com). If you have any technical questions, ask them at facebook.com/DataDoctors or on Twitter. @TheDataDoc.
