When it comes to being environmentally conscious and taking care of the world around us, it’s not just “tree huggers” who pitch in anymore. These days, everyone is becoming more environmentally conscious, from individual households making recycling a part of their lifestyle, to large corporations creating and supporting green policies and practices. This is true even in the IT industry, where companies both large and small are making changes and working to become “green IT” companies. But in the world of computers and technology, what does it mean to be a green IT company?
Simply put, the green IT movement is focused on creating ways to design, manufacture, use, and dispose of all computer-related components in ways that have little or no impact on the environment. This includes not just computers, but all the technology that goes with it, things like monitors, storage devices, printers, network equipment, and the list goes on and on. In addition to these things, green companies also focus on finding ways to make IT products more energy efficient and more affordable for the average person to recycle or dispose of properly.
Two good examples of green IT programs are Dell’s Computer Recycling Program and Computers with Causes. Dell recycles any of its own brand computers at no charge at any time, and it recycles other brands of computers for a small fee, or even free when you buy a new one from them. In fact, many computer companies offer this type of service, including some retail chains like Staples. And if a computer is still in working condition, it can be donated to organizations like Computers With Causes, which restore and donate computers to worthy organizations around the world.
These are two examples of green IT programs aimed at helping consumers and are just the tip of the iceberg in the field of environmentally sustainable IT practices. There are many more programs and practices that IT companies around the world are continually following and developing, in the overall hope of making computers and the technology that goes with them environmentally safe, from the drawing board to the desktop. manufacturing plant, to the home or office, and finally to the recycling company. As an individual, you can support the idea of green IT by always properly disposing of old electronic devices. As a business, you can become a green IT company by taking steps to make your practices environmentally sound.