4 Ways to stay environmentally friendly when using technology

4 Ways to stay environmentally friendly when using technology

AD | I have been or could be if you click on a link in this post compensated via a cash payment, gift or something else of value for writing this post. See our full disclosure policy and privacy policy for more details.

Technology has moved on so much in recent years and continues to do so at an incredibly fast pace. It has cemented its place as part of modern life, we are never very far away from our smartphones, for instance. We are also growing increasingly aware of the impact that our use of technology is having on the environment. Many of us are searching for ways to keep using technology but also ensure that we are looking after the planet at the same time. Luckily, there are things that you can do to balance your technology usage and the impact that it has on the environment. Read on to find out our four top tips.

1. Switch them off

When you are not using your devices, consider switching them off. It can be tempting to leave your appliances and devices in stand-by mode but this means that you are still using energy. Switching them off when they are not in use can really save in electrical usage, which reduces your reliance on the earth’s valuable resources and also saves you money at the same time. Sure, you might have to wait a few seconds for your devices to load but it really is worth it when it comes to reducing our energy usage which places a lot of stress on our planet. You should also think about when you charge your devices too. Many charge mobile phones overnight when realistically they only need a couple of hours to replenish. This uses so much extra unnecessary energy.

2. Do your research when choosing your new devices

When it comes to investing in new devices, often where you choose to buy them can have an impact on how environmentally-friendly they are. This is all to do with the efforts that retailers make when it comes to their own sustainability. Argos, for instance, understand that over 71% of shoppers take the environmental impact of their shopping into consideration. They have developed a sustainability policy which reflects this consideration, meaning that purchasing from them might be more environmentally-friendly than elsewhere.

3. Invest in smart tech

4 Ways to stay environmentally friendly when using technology
Photo by Austin Poon on Unsplash

There is a sector within technology that is starting to build products centred around an ethos of wasting as little energy as possible. They might have sensors on them so that they know when they should switch themselves off or they might understand which features you use so they can save energy by diverting resources away from what you don’t use. They might cost a bit more but could help you save money on energy in the long run.

4. Recycle

4 Ways to stay environmentally friendly when using technology
Photo by Hamza Javaid on Unsplash

Technology moves on so fast making the products that we bought just a short time ago become obsolete in the blink of an eye. This is causing us to replace our devices too often, which is using up valuable materials. If you do need to replace your devices, consider recycling your old ones correctly. There are plenty of schemes available that allow manufacturers to reuse some of those valuable materials in new products. Ultimately, we need to divert technology from landfill, where some of the metals used in its creation can pollute.

Follow:
karenbeddow
karenbeddow
Share:

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

1 Comment

  1. barjerow
    October 24, 2019 / 7:44 am

    Good tips here, especially if you have a large family that all rely on using technology to function!