We are all environmentalists now. How you buy, use and recycle computers can make a big difference to their environmental impact and save you money at the same time.
… if your new computer was better for the environment?
Everybody's an environmentalist now. The choices we make as individuals and small businesses can reduce our environmental impact. When it comes to IT, you can help by choosing a green-minded manufacturer, recycling packaging and old computers, reducing energy consumption and choosing PCs with the least environmental impact.
Green IT checklist
Buy from green-minded manufacturers. Most PC manufacturers have information on their website about corporate social responsibility. Check it out and buy from a company that shares your values.
Recycle packaging and old computers. Reputable manufacturers make nearly all of their packaging out of recycled materials. HP does. You can do your bit by recycling the packaging after you have unpacked your PC. It's good to find ways to reuse or recycle old computers. There are charities who will find good homes for old, working PCs, for example.
Reduce energy consumption. Use system settings and energy management software to help your PC use as little power as possible. For example, HP Power Manager (available on select HP Business Desktop PCs) can cut energy consumption and CO2 emissions.
Compare different systems. PCs may look alike but there is a big difference when it comes to their environmental credentials. Reputable manufacturers publish detailed environmental assessments for their products. For example, HP has published 1,200 IT Eco Declarations about its products.
Use objective standards. Look for systems that meet the latest, highest standards, such as EPEAT™ Gold and ENERGY STAR®. This will tell you which machines have the least environmental impact and the lowest energy consumption.
Choose PCs that are easy to recycle. It is more environmentally friendly to buy PCs that are designed to be recycled easily. This means steps such as labeling different plastic components and making systems easy to disassemble. For example, HP PCs are more than 90 percent recyclable, by weight.
HP Eco Solutions. HP Eco Solutions is the technology industry's leading environmental program. For example, HP is listed in the Dow Jones Sustainability Index and FTSE4Good, recognizing its commitment in this area.
HP Business Notebooks meet the rigorous standards set by The Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool (EPEAT) rating system and are ENERGY STAR ® qualified for superior energy efficiency.
Recycling program. When your HP and non-HP computer hardware or printing supplies reach the end of their life, take advantage of HP's Planet Partners return and recycling program, available in more than 45 countries, regions and territories.
HP Disk Sanitizer software, built into the computer, means that you can completely and securely erases the hard disk before recycling it.
HP's power management features, such HP Power Assistant, can help you cut power consumption and CO2 emissions. Features like this have helped us cut the energy consumption of our PCs by 41 percent since 2005.
HP Smart AC Adapters for HP Notebooks only draw around half a watt when they are not actually charging a laptop.
HP Long Life Batteries Using new technology, HP offers a new laptop battery that lasts up to three times longer than traditional batteries, retaining 80 percent of its original capacity after 1,000 charge cycles. They are compatible with select models of HP notebook computers. The result is less landfill and lower long-term cost of ownership and replacement. It also contains no dangerous heavy metals or PVC, further reducing its environmental footprint.
