8. Computers and the Environment

People are becoming more aware and more concerned about how our modern lifestyle is having an impact on the environment.

Did you know that the global IT industry accounts for 2% of the world's carbon dioxide emissions - this is the same amount that their airline industry churns out!*

Here are some of the things that you, as a computer user, can do to help reduce the impact on our environment:

- Recycle paper for printing. If you are printing out non essential documents, print on the back of old paper. If the paper can no longer be used put it into a recycling bin.

- Don't print unless absolutely necessary. Read your documents on the screen. Pass them onto others in an electronic format.

- Recycle your old printer ink cartridges and toners

- Use a monitor that consumes less power whilst the computer is inactive

- If you are not going to be using your computer for a period of time, switch it off and don't just leave it on standby.

- Recycle your computer. Just because you want a new computer doesn't mean to say that your old one is worthless. Pass your computer onto someone else and don't just take it to the tip. If you really can't pass it on, then take it to your local tip and make sure that it goes to the specific computer recycling section.

* Computers as environment-unfriendly as planes?