Environmental ICT Facts and Tips

Computer and printer purchase / lease

Facts
In 1954 an average Victorian household had only six appliances: kettle, radio, toaster, fridge, lamp and heater. By 2004, the average home had collected 30 appliances, two of which are the computer and printer.

A 17" monitor can often use 30% more energy than a 15" monitor, whilst LCD (liquid crystal display) monitors use as little as 1/3 the energy of a CRT (cathode ray tube) display and can last 2 to 3 times longer.

Heat can cause equipment failure. With power management features activated, your equipment generates less heat, so it may last longer. And, components that cycle, such as hard drives and microprocessors, are more reliable when power management is used.

Each year 750,000 computers are sold in Victoria (3 million Australia-wide) whilst 560,000 computers in Victoria are redundant each year. Three out of four used computers in Australia are dumped in landfill or stockpiled (Environment Australia). In 2007, 4.5 million computers are expected to be replaced.

Tips
If leasing computer equipment check to see if the leasing company has a policy for careful disposal of end-of-lease items.

Make sure all your office equipment: faxes, computers, printers etc. have the 'Energy Star' function and it is enabled. For more information please see www.energystar.gov.au

If you need to buy a new computer, consider what you can salvage from it. Chances are the monitor, keyboard and mouse are still OK and be retained.

Buy computers that can be easily upgraded to avoid having to purchase entire new systems as technologies advance.

Next time you need to buy a new school computer printer make sure it has a sleep mode function, can print double sided sheets and uses a rillable cartridge.

Use multi-functional office equipment. For example a fax / photocopier / printer. Having one machine save energy when compared to two or three.

Choose the smallest monitor to meet your needs.

Urge manufacturers to design products with the environment in mind: no toxics, long life, safe and easy recycling.


Computer use

Facts
The electricity to run the little clocks and lights on your VCR and computer in Standby mode account for an eighth of all household energy related greenhouse gas emissions.

In a typical office, equipment such as photocopiers, computers, printers, fax machines, refridgerators and water heaters can account for up to 30% of energy consumption.

Electronic systems generally create both financial and environmental benefits over manual / paper based systems. ICT development is critical for the continuing development of these systems.

A screen saver does nothing to reduce the energy consumption of your computer.

The difference in energy consumption between an idling computer and one that is being activity used is negible.

A typical desktop PC left on 24/7 for one year, consumes a whooping 874kWh of electricity. That's enough to release 750 lbs. of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere and is equilavent to driving 1300 kms in an average car.

Tips
Computers should be turned off when not in use including during lunch and playtime.

When you leave your desk for more than 10 minutes, turn off the monitor.

You can install EMO software to switch off computers automatically when not in use.


Computer consumables and accessories

Facts
For each tonne of paper that is recycled, almost 13 trees, 2.5 barrels of oil, 4100 kWh of electricity, 4 cubic metres of landfill and 31,780 litres of water are saved.

By reducing the growth rate of paper and toner purchase, purchasing recycled paper and increasing recycling, schools can save on use of natural resources (trees) reduce CO2 output, save water, save paper from landfill.

Tips
Optimise electronic storage and distribution of files rather than printing.

Recycle computer toner cartridges.

Purchase re-manufactured toner cartridges.

Buy recycled Australian paper. For information on types and makes of the preferred sorts visit www.acfonline.org.au

Set your computer and printer to print both sides as default.


Energy source

Facts
Green Power is electricity generated from clean, renewable energy sources, such as solar, wind, biomass and hydro power.

Tips
Switch to green power.


Printing services

Facts
A typical lithographic printing process creates waste that have environmental impacts, including waste paper and waste inks as well as volatile toxic compounds.

Tips
Printing using vegetable / soy based inks, reduces solvent usage, which reduces waste and greenhouse gas emissions.

Choose a printer that has developed environmental policies and practices, and even participates in the ISO 14001-2004 certification and compliance.


Computer or cartridge recycling
Even at the end of its useful life, most technology can be recycled and used to create new products. Planet Ark maintains a long list of computer recyclers in every Victorian municipality at www.recyclingnearyou.com.au

Tips
Use refillable toner cartridges.

Use remanufactured toner cartirdges.

Use a take back scheme for your old PC. The following computer manufacturers are starting to recycle their products Dell www.dell.com.au/recycle, IBM www-03.ibm.com/financing/au/gar/recycle and Hewlett-Packard www.hp.com.au/recycle/supplies