subject: Mixing Electronics & A Green Lifestyle [print this page] Gadgets are such an integral part of our lives now that we scarcely think twice before using them. How many times have you marveled at your cell phone, a device that lets you communicate no matter where you are? This is something that was unthinkable a mere 75 years ago. Or do you even blink when you use your electric razor? And yet just two generations ago most people couldn't even imagine a device like this. Electronic devices have made our lives easier, safer and put more power in our hands.
But one thing many people forget is that with that power comes some additional responsibilities. Some things our grandparents never had to think too much about. Like the environment. After all, these devices you love so much all need energy to run. Energy consumption in the US today is 300% more than what it was in the 50's. And much of it is because of those gadgets you love so much. However, you can do your bit to conserve energy and still enjoy the conveniences these gadgets provide. Here is a list of things that you can do to conserve energy at home.
1.Start thinking at the checkout counter: Always make energy efficiency a primary criterion when shopping for electronics. Do your research at home to find out which brands and products offer the best value. They may be costlier than competing brands that are not as energy efficient, but the savings on your power bill will more than make up for the difference.
2.Buy rechargeable: Disposable batteries mostly end up in landfills, poisoning the water and the land. Moreover, each year, production of these batteries eats up huge amounts of energy and resources. Rechargeable batteries on the other hand can be used multiple times, and are actually economical considering how many times you can use them.
3.Recycle: Recycle you old cell phones, batteries, PDAs, MP3 players etc. These contain parts and raw materials that can be used multiple times so there is really no reason to junk a product once you are tired of it.
4.Use it longer: In fact, before a purchase, ask yourself whether you really need a new product with minor extra features. Responsible consumer practices are a big part of the green lifestyle. So don't buy into the hype, step back and analyze why exactly you need to replace your old faithful.
5.Unplug: This is a basic rule that everyone seems to ignore. Once your devices are fully charged, you need to switch off, and unplug the charger from the power source. Many devices continue drawing power as long as they are plugged in to the wall. If you have multiple devices and unplugging them all is a bother, connect them all to a power strip. That way, when not in use, you can just unplug the power strip.
Not only is developing green electronic habits good for the environment and your conscience, they are also good for your pocket in the long run. So there is really no reason to begin practicing a greener lifestyle today.
