How to Green your Home Office Computer
A Home Office will normally include a little or a lot of electronic equipment. In terms of being eco-friendly, less equipment is definitely the way to go.
My home office is seriously pared down. It consists of my laptop, a backup drive, some paper files, reference books and manuals, and a very small amount of office stationery. I don’t have a separate desk, I use existing furniture. I don’t have a printer or scanner because most things are online, and when I need to print or scan I just use a print shop when I go into town.
Less to buy, less to insure, less to clean, less to break down.
I like being pared down. And reducing my footprint.
(As an aside, don’t you love all these gorgeous photos on the web of people sitting on glamorous garden furniture in an immaculate garden, with a laptop (no cables of course) elegantly perched?
I have to laugh.
Partly because “immaculate” and “Clare” are words which don’t normally go together. But mainly because I can’t read my screen in bright sunlight. Sigh. I’ve fallen for the lure of the “working on the beach or by the pool” concept).
But I digress.
The best ways to green your home office computer
It’s easy – just follow these steps:
Step 1: Which Model?
First of all, consider this: do you really need the latest, greatest model? Think carefully about what you really use it for.
You might find you can get by with an older model. Keep your existing one, or buy used – second-hand computers sell for a song. You save money, Reduce your demand for new stuff, and Re-use existing stuff.
Tip: If you want to keep using your existing machine but it’s a bit slow, wipe it clean and re-load everything to give it a performance boost – computers become sluggish after a while. Outsource to a computer professional if you don’t want to do it yourself.
Consider also that there are many totally free software programs which have similar features to the more expensive packages – and they take less hardware to run, so they work well on older models. Try Free Office or Google Docs for example – there are loads to choose from.
If what you need is an internet connection, word processing, and some basic photo editing tools, then you’re wasting your hard-earned money if you buy the fanciest computer around.
Step 2: Green a New Computer
If you decide you wish to buy a new computer, look for one that’s EPEAT-certified, so it’s made with less hazardous waste than non-certified brands. (But consider buying used – you might be surprised at what you can find on sites like Craigslist – people sell nearly-new computers for a lot less than new retail prices).
3: Green an Ancient Computer
Whether you’re donating or recycling your old laptop (never toss it in the garbage!), there are a few things you should do before saying goodbye.
First, erase it thoroughly – try this software for erasing PCs and this site to erase Macs. Find a reputable charity or recycling operation which takes your type of computer. Finally, clean the surfaces before you donate it.
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Home Office – Eco-Friendly Desk
Buying a computer used to feel like buying my first stereo. I was sold on the pro logic surround sound and the multiple this and thats. I wanted my computers to be the same being able to download tons of computer software. Then I realized I never used any of it. 25 years later I have the same stereo. One of these days I’ll figure out what pro logic is. I wish I could do that from a tropical island but I’ll settle for the desert where the sun shines probably even more frequently.
It’s true, buying a computer isn’t quite as exciting as it used to be – I think most of us are a bit more realistic about we want from a PC now. I like deserts. Every now and again I decide I can’t survive any more, and go to Namibia and – once – Mongolia. Deserts, like the African bush, put me back on my feet again. Moving to a tropical island was rather extreme – and a long way from all of those desert options!
Thanks for sharing, I enjoyed reading about your stereo!
Had to stop by here at http://www.econfriendlylink.com and tell you that this is the single finest Eco-friendly resource on the planet. Fantastic!
Kevin Hogan, Psy D
Author of The Psychology of Persuasion
Thanks Kevin, your comment is very much appreciated! I think so too of course – but I suppose there is a tiny, immeasurably small chance that I may be very slightly biassed!
Hey Clare – love the pic — is that the view from your home office???? I’m jealous!!!
🙂
Ah, unfortunately not – probably too immaculate for my lifestyle! At the end of my garden I have some ever-growing tropical greenery which blocks the view of the sea which is a couple of hundred yards away. Coral reefs protect the island from rough seas, so we get a gentle, lapping, warm sea at the beaches. But when the wind is in the right direction, we can hear the surf from beyond the reefs, I love that!
I’ve never thought of eco-friendly in terms of computers, nice little enlightening article there. I’ve always used computers and hardware that are a few generations behind. 🙂
Thanks!
So you’ve been eco-friendly without realising it – and saving money too – I like it!
Recycling old computers (and other items) has always been a problem and depending on where you live is more difficult than you might imagine. My office donates to schools for under-privileged via our hardware supplier who collects from several sources, cleans them up and delivers them for free. At least it is a form of recycling but although the problem is diminished it has not really been solved.
That’s a great way of re-using old electronic computers – and I bet the kids absolutely love them and gain a huge amount of benefit from them. Thanks for your comment!
Clare, you always have great expert advice when it comes to living a ecofriendly lifestyle. Thanks for sharing more tips on how to live eco friendly.
Thanks Scott! 🙂
Clare, I really appreciate your links to other articles.
Sonya Lenzo
Great tips and information thanks for sharing! If I was in the market looking to purchase a new laptop, do you have any suggestions on new green models?
Thanks
Liz-CoolProducts
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