Buy Smart
Making sustainable choices when buying electronics is a great way to get started with sustainable computing practices. Here are a few tips for buying smart:
Look for Environmentally-Friendly Electronics
When looking to purchase a new product, visit the following websites and see how energy efficient various models and companies truly are.
ENERGY STAR
Find energy-efficient electronics and other products using this website created by the ENERGY STAR program—a joint effort by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency & the U.S. Department of Energy to help individuals save money and protect the environment.- EPEAT
Search for your next computer to ensure that the model meets higher criteria such products manufactured with fewer toxins and designed for easy recycling.- Use the EPEAT system to help evaluate, compare and select electronic products based on their environmental attributes. EPEAT-rated computers must be designated ENERGY STAR.
- Search the EPEAT registry to find green equipment.
Calculate the environmental benefits of purchasing EPEAT-rated computers.
- Computer Showcase has partnered with Encore Repair for a new way to recycle your used devices (computers, tablets, cell phones or MP3 players). When you trade in a device, you get instant in-store credit toward the purchase of new technology from Computer Showcase.
- For details and to find out how to participate in this program, visit the Computer Showcase website or send your questions to [email protected].
This program is intended for personally-owned devices. For information on disposal of university-owned technology, please visit Property Disposition for UM departments.
Laptop Computers
Most laptops are more energy-efficient than desktop models in order to conserve battery life. Using a laptop instead of a desktop can save energy.
Purchase with the Lifecycle of the Computer in Mind
Buy equipment calculated to last 4-5 years. Only 34% of life-cycle energy consumption occurs in the use phase; extending the lifetime could mitigate the energy burden of the production and disposal phases. (Center for Sustainable Systems Green IT Factsheet)
Power Strips
Don't Buy More Than You Need
When shopping for computer equipment, only buy what you need. For example, if you won't be playing high-definition games on your computer, don't include a high-end graphics card. You'll save money on both the purchase and the power used.
Buy Paper with Recycled Content
Look for recycled content when you buy paper. Recycled paper not only reduces harvesting of trees, it also uses less energy and less water, causes less pollution and saves landfill space.
- Calculate the benefits of better paper choices.
- Sustainably harvested paper is another option. See the National Wildlife Federation for information on more sustainable paper choices.
U-M Best Practice
- Recycled paper is available through M-marketsite.
Complete the cycle; Buy Recycled Products
To close the loop, look for recycled materials in everything you buy. Increasingly more products are manufactured using recycled materials, which save resources and keeps materials out of the landfill. The EPEAT rating system considers both recycling and use of recycled materials when recommending environmentally-friendly electronics.