How to Shop for Green Technology

In a world where everyone must practice smart ecology, we’ve all become environmentalists. Learning how to shop for technology from our newest cell phone to home networking products that are eco-friendly is important. A few simple tips can make the process much simpler than you might imagine.

You can start your search for green technology online. Try the major search engines such as Bing, Google and Yahoo. Look for manufacturers of green technology and see what you can find.

Another source is online directories, especially those that are location specific. These are harder to locate, but they often include customer review which is an added benefit.

Green online discussion forums can offer a wealth of information. Just be sure that any you locate are visited by consumers more than by company reps. This will help you get a more objective opinion or recommendation.

Once you’ve located some prospects, be sure you choose a green supplier. Many corporate websites today contain information about their green philosophy. Research them before you buy to see where they stand on environmental issues.

Look for items made from recycled materials. This may include the packaging as well as the technology itself. HP, for instances, makes almost all of their packaging from recycled materials. You can also recycle yourself and add even more to your environmental savings.

Look for energy efficient products in order to reduce your energy consumption. Some products are designed to use less energy. Others, such as computers that power down after an inactive period, can be set to save electricity on a schedule. Look for both options when buying for the most significant energy savings.

Compare different products. While many computers or laptops look alike, there can be major differences in the impact of the company, or the product, on the environment. This goes along with researching vendors, but takes it a step further into the product line itself.

Choose Energy Star® compliant products whenever possible. You can tell which equipment is the most eco-friendly and provides the most energy savings by looking for this seal.

Search for products with longer lasting batteries. This means less recycling and more cost savings for you. Many batteries now use a newer technology that lasts several times longer than older versions. In addition to saving the landfill and your out of pocket replacement fees, these batters are also PVC-free which is an added value for the environment.

While the green movement is still in its infancy, and many companies and businesses have yet to climb on board, there are ways to purchase products that are more environmentally friendly. It make take a bit longer, and it may require additional time and effort on your part, but the rewards of a healthy ecology for yourself and your family is worth any added labor buying green might require.

Thanks to Brandon for submitting this guest article!

14 thoughts on “How to Shop for Green Technology”

  1. Its really good to see that gadgets now a days are greener than a few decades ago. Rechargeable batteries of cell phones & digicams can last for years without replacement. Too bad its still not with batteries of todays’ laptops that lasts for only over a year.

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  2. Ever since I got the Belkin Conserve Insight to review, I’ve become more aware at energy star compliant products and the effect they cause to the environment and also to your monthly bill 🙂

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  3. More tech gadgets and appliance are going green and earth friendly nowadays. A good thing for us the consumers and good thing for them as the manufacturer because its a pretty effective marketing branding as well.

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    • Yes. Do-follow for the “name” field has been removed due to abuse. Now there’s only do-follow on the CommentLuv links, so real bloggers will be able to benefit from it, instead of people with names such as “internet marketing tools”, “online dating”, “affiliate strategies” and so on…

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  4. great tips. It is a growing trend and a necessary one. hopefully people will follow this cue and start searching for more “green” products when they are buying.

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  5. Now see if they actually had the Green snap-on case for my MBP, I might buy one!

    Good post, but I think the green movement is largely in the lip-service phase. Companies think that by advertising ‘green’ they’ll make more sales. Of course still better to buy greener alternatives and support companies that are making an effort – and hopefully that will build some momentum toward making real change!

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  7. Don’t get a “green” HDD, I heard those have really crappy performance, trying to save power all the time.

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  8. Compared to technology of long ago, most of the newer systems run pretty effectively with lower power consumption. I do try to make it a point to use green friendly things now.

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  9. The green technology is the need of the hour and we must try to minimize the power consumptions in all electric and elctronics appliances. In India, star rating is given to the electrical appliances and 5 star meens, it is highest energy efficient and therefore will consume least power. We must have such equipments in our houses and offices.

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  10. Its a good sign that these days most of the companies are trying to incorporate green concepts in their products but sadly some companies with least percentage of green concept in their products try to publicize too much. Still, we can be smart buyers by choosing products which concentrates more on energy conservation or green concept.

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