(All You Ever Wanted to Know About) Green Gadgets

Electronics aren’t always the first thing that comes to mind when we think about going green, but even technology can help us become eco-friendly.

Sharp Aquos LCD HDTV
Buying a TV presents us with a lot of choices ~ size, LCD or not, HDTV, etc.  Now there’s one more question to ask before you choose your television:  “Is it environmentally beneficial?”  That’s right, there are TVs out there that fall right into line with the green way of thinking.  Take, for instance, the Sharp Aquos LCD HDTV. This model is great regardless of whether you’re primarily a movie or TV watcher.  Because of its size and the fact that it’s widescreen, watching movies becomes a true experience because of how crystal clear the marriage of LCD and HDTV is. Either alone are great, but combined…WOW!  And now to the part about how it can help the environment. When Sharp made this television, they designed a component that made it incredibly energy conservative without taking away from the overall picture. Because you’re using less electricity while watching a movie, you are spending less money on your electric bill (it may not seem like it from month to month, but look at it yearly and the savings do add up). And more importantly, you’re using less electricity and that means fewer CO2 emissions into the atmosphere. Hey, every little bit counts.

USB EARTHDRIVE 2.0
Another techno-way to make a difference? How about a green USB thumb drive! The EarthDrive comes in two sizes ~ a 4GB and an 8GB. The design and casing use primarily bio-recycled materials, making this product fully recyclable. A portion of the proceeds goes to American Forests and Global ReLeaf to help plant trees, so really, the EarthDrive is doubly green (it’s a pretty kickass little stick, too, as it comes with built-in security that allows for password protection of private files and drive partitioning, plus it’s shock-proof, waterproof, and dust proof).

SOLAR POWERED BLUETOOTH HEADSET
Perhaps one of the coolest green gadgets around (and one of the lightest ~ you’ll forget you have it on), someone really outdid him/herself in designing the Iqua Sun ~ the world’s first solar powered Bluetooth headset. Batteries are soooo yesterday, right? This little guy can draw power from the hot summer sun, but it can also suck up indirect sunlight.  And if you’ve got vampiric tendencies, don’t worry, because with over 200 hours of stand-by time, it also stores 9 hours of power for use in complete darkness.

For a full list of tips on how to use/purchase/dispose of gadgets in the greenest ways possible, check out the full article at www.thepulsemag.com

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TOP GREEN GADGET TIPS

1.    Buy used. Buying a pre-owned electronic accomplishes two excellent goals:
first, you help to extend the lifetime of the gadget, lowering its carbon footprint, and second, you save money. There are great buyback companies such as TechForward that sell refurbished electronics, and places like Craigslist and eBay are also good places to look ~  and some manufacturers offer refurbished gear at reduced prices as well. You might even find what you’re seeking free of charge on networks like Freecycle.

2.    Buy recycled and recyclable.
Check out what materials are used in the product and go for gadgets that use low impact materials that are recycled or sustainably obtained. It is tough, so far, to find new gadgets made of recycled materials, but not impossible. If it lacks that element, ensure that it is recyclable. To really make your voice heard, write to the manufacturers and let them know you’ll only become a customer if they make greener choices in their production.

3.    See what the experts say before buying.
Check out Energy Star, EPEAT ratings, Consumer Reports, and other expert sources before buying ~ comparison “pre-shopping” will help you find the most energy efficient and eco-friendly items.

4.    Charge your gadgets with renewable energy.
Nope, you don’t have to invest in solar panels on your house, or a wind turbine in your yard. There are small, personal charging devices that use solar or wind to power your gadgets. The Hymini wind turbine can charge your cell phone or MP3 player if you stick it out the window or take it along with you on a bike ride. There are also a wide range of small, portable solar chargers that can charge up while you relax in the sun. Note: If you must use batteries, ditch the alkaline and go with Lithium Ion.

5.    Use all of a gadget’s features.
Making the most out of the technology you already have helps not only extend the usefulness of a gadget and make it fully worth the money you put down for it, but it also cuts down on the number of gadgets you feel you need or want in your life. Additionally, it cuts down on how many things you need to continually charge up. For instance, most cell phones can now act as alarm clocks, calculators, PDAs, cameras and music players. That’s five additional gadgets you know longer need.

6.    Zap vampire power.
For true technophiles, this is probably the most fun of the tips because you get to green your gadgets with more gadgets. Vampire power is the energy used by devices when they’re plugged in but not turned on. Prevent wasted energy first by unplugging any devices not in use or that are fully charged. Then, try using devices like smart power strips that cut the power supply to devices that no longer need it.

7.    Use what you have for as long as possible
For the majority of gadgets, you can get years of use before it is time to upgrade. This is especially true with cell phones, handheld gaming devices, PDAs and similar gadgets. While it is tempting to get a new phone when you renew your contract, or a new laptop when the faster, smaller version hits stores, ask yourself if you really need it and weigh your options before replacing your gear.

8.    Use old gadgets as money makers.
Buyback programs aren’t only great places to look for new gadgets, they’re also a perfect place for getting rid of your old items if you’ve decided to upgrade to newer versions. Buyback programs pay you for your old gear, refurbish it, then resell it. It keeps gadgets in the loop much longer, and puts a little green in your pocket.

9.    Recycle gadgets when they’ve kicked the bucket.
If you have a device that has reached the end of its useful life, you definitely don’t want to toss it. Avoid hazardous e-waste by utilizing one of the growing number of free recycling programs. Many manufacturers like Toshiba will take back old gear for free, helping to make disposal easy on you and the earth. Contact your local electronics stores or check online for free recycling programs in your area.