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Technical(ly) Greener Choices

It's a topic that divides the globe and it does so on many levels.

Computers, TVs and electronic gadgets require large amounts of energy and raw materials to produce, and dealing with electronic waste is a growing challenge. By cutting down on energy use, and disposing of unwanted equipment carefully, you can reduce the harmful impact of electronic goods on the environment.

Hang on to your kit for longer.

Over 6 million electrical items are thrown away in the UK every year. A desktop PC uses about ten times its weight in fossil fuels and chemicals during its production and operation.

Things you can do:

• consider increasing your computer's memory (RAM) or replacing the hard drive instead of buying a new computer
• no need to replace your mobile phone every year - the cadmium from one discarded mobile is enough to pollute 600,000 litres of water, and most phones will work for at least five years
• don't assume you need a new monitor when you buy a new computer - monitors contain toxic chemicals which are hard to dispose of safely

Buy energy efficient equipment

Things to remember:

• the smaller the better - a large TV uses more energy than a small one
• when buying new office kit ask your retailer about Energy Star compliance for computers, monitors, fax machines and scanners
• on monitors, look for the TCO label
• look for the Energy Saving Recommended label if you are buying an integrated digital television (IDTV), or a few models carry the European Ecolabel

Think before you print.

Only print when you really need as this saves energy, paper and ink.

Other things you can do:

• print double-sided to save paper
• recycle your waste paper, and use recycled paper
• select 'draft' or 'economy' settings when you print to save ink
• refill or recycle empty printer cartridges

Find a new home for your gadgets - or recycle

Electronic goods often contain harmful chemicals like lead, brominated flame retardants, cadmium and mercury. These can cause pollution if not disposed of properly.

Things you can do:

• try to find unwanted devices a new home with a relevant charity or other organisation - over half the electronic items thrown away are still working or could easily be repaired
• take unusable items to a recycling centre where the valuable or harmful materials can be removed safely and re-used or disposed of. Recycling materials like aluminium from computers saves raw materials and energy
• if you are recycling a computer, make sure you permanently delete all files and programs on the hard drive first
• when you buy a new electrical product you should ask the shop to take back your old one. They have to do this for free when you make a like-for-like purchase - for example, take back your old toaster when you buy a new one - no matter where you bought the original. This is called the Waste Electronic and Electrical Equipment regulations (WEEE).

Save energy - or switch it off

Energy is consumed by electronic items left on standby and by mobile phone chargers left plugged in.

You can:

• unplug your chargers: mobile phone and laptop chargers continue to use energy when they are left plugged in to the socket even when not connected to the phone or computer
• choose energy-efficient computer equipment: for example, laptops use about one sixth of the energy of a desktop computer in operation
• turning your monitor off when you leave your computer, and activating its energy-saving features, will reduce the energy it uses significantly
• try to turn off TV equipment at the set or plug, not by using the remote control

Recharge your batteries

Every year 600 million batteries are discarded, containing hazardous substances like cadmium as well as valuable metals.

You can:

• use rechargeable batteries when you can: the energy needed to make a battery is 50 times more than the electrical energy it gives out
• look to buy NiMH (nickel metal hydride) rechargeable batteries - they last longer and are less harmful to the environment than older nickel cadmium (NiCD) batteries
• recycle all unwanted batteries where possible
• wind-up or solar gadgets like radios and torches allow you to dispense with batteries altogether

The wider issue

EU law now means manufacturers have to take back old electronic goods or deliver them to a collection facility free of charge

Manufacturing electronic equipment requires a large amount of energy - contributing to climate change. Televisions and other electronic goods are made of copper, lead and iron as well as plastic. The eventual disposal of the equipment can result in the release of dangerous chemicals like dioxins. The average UK citizen will generate 3.3 tonnes of electronic waste in their lifetime.