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What is the modern human without consumer electronics? Fortunately, you don't have to answer that question because you can buy greener gadgets: we'll show you how with Planet Green's "How to Go Green: Gadgets."
Top Tips for Greening Your Gizmo
Buy Used: Don't stop at used. Think: recycled, refurbished, and free. The idea here is to lessen your impact by opting out of the vicious consume-dispose-consume cycle.
Avoid the Vampires: Also known as phantom load, idle current, and wall wart, vampire power describes the extra energy that is sucked from the grid by electronics not in use (or even turned out). Simply by being plugged in, a lot of your gadgets are sinking their teeth into your carbon footprint.
Use it Before You Lose it: When was it decided that it was our birthright to upgrade gadgets long before they've outlived their usefulness? Replacing your gear just because of a clever TV commercial is not only a scam, it's also a blight on the planet. Go ahead: wear that laptop into the ground. That's the green way.
Did You Know?
- 3 million tons of household electronics were tossed by Americans in 2006
- The average American household spends $1,200 on new electronics annually
- There are 300 million obsolete computers in the U.S. today
For more on Gadget Tips check out Planet Green's Guide, How to Go Green: Gadgets. For more on Going Green, check out the Planet Green How to Go Green Archives.
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