4 Ways To Make Your Office Computer Systems Better For The Planet

Julie Starr • March 30, 2021



Computers are often ignored when people talk about environmental issues. These machines have become such a fundamental part of life that it feels almost impossible to live without them, but the impact they have on the world is quite staggering. Businesses need to be particularly mindful of this, with their complex computer systems and powerful servers using huge amounts of electricity that can be damaging to the environment if it wasn’t sourced from the right place. As an office manager or owner, what can you do to improve the eco-friendliness of your computer systems?

Moving Off-Site
 Server systems can use huge amounts of power, though many businesses don’t actually need to keep their emails, files, and other digital resources on their own premises. Managed service providers can help you to move your data onto cloud services, along with providing a range of other benefits that will improve your company’s IT. But what is a managed service provider ? Companies like this offer IT services, effectively replacing your internal IT department and giving you the freedom to enjoy your computers without hassle.

Using Laptops
 Computers use power to conduct all of their operations, with electricity being the variable that is used for calculations. Desktop machines are generally built with performance in mind, while laptops are built to be efficient, using as little power as possible. Modern laptops can perform just as well as their desktop counterparts, all while saving loads of power thanks to their optimized components and built-in screens. Of course, laptops will also make it easier for your team to be active.

Automation
 While most companies have strict rules that tell their employees to turn computers off each day, it’s rare that all of your machines will find themselves in the right position each day. Automation can solve this problem, with software shutting down your machines at set times each day, ensuring that you get to enjoy reduced energy bills, while also improving your environmental impact in one move. You can automate your business in other ways to improve productivity and employee welfare.

Power Generation
 On-site power generation used to be unfeasible for offices, with solar panels lacking the performance required to be worthwhile. This has changed in recent years, with many modern solar panels being able to generate power when the sun is hidden behind clouds. This can drastically improve your company’s carbon footprint , giving you the chance to embark on the journey to become carbon neutral. Of course, if this isn’t something you are prepared to invest in, you could also consider the idea of choosing an energy provider that uses green power.

As you can see, reducing the impact of your computer systems on the environment can be much easier than you might expect. This process is something that every company should be thinking about, though taking the steps to start the journey is another thing entirely. It’s alright if it takes time for you to get to the right position, as long as you’re always looking for ways to improve.

Simple Steps To Make Your Office Space More Eco-Friendly

By Julie Starr • 07 Oct, 2024
Becoming more eco-friendly and running a greener business is a responsibility that business owners really need to think more about. The good news is that if you spend a lot of time in your office, there are plenty of ways to make it more eco-friendly without having to overhaul everything and start again (which isn’t just disruptive, but expensive too). So, if you’re ready to get started, here are some simple steps to make your office space more eco-friendly; read on to find out more. Use Energy-Efficient Lighting This idea is a simple one that you can do no matter what else might be on your list of tasks - it’s quick, easy, and really makes a difference; change your light bulbs to something more energy efficient. If you’re still using traditional fluorescent bulbs, it’s time to upgrade to LED which doesn’t just last longer, but also uses a lot less energy. They’re easy to install and they’ll help you cut down on your office’s energy usage almost instantly. If possible, you should make the most of natural light too, so think about rearranging your workspace to let in more sunlight, which saves energy and can boost your mood - it’s a win-win that you can do right away. Prioritize Air Quality The air you breathe matters, and keeping it clean can do wonders for your health and the planet. One way to improve air quality is by adding plants to your workspace because plants are natural air purifiers, and as a bonus, they’ll make your office feel more inviting. Another great idea is to make sure your office’s HVAC system is working efficiently, and having air duct cleaning done by professionals is an easy step you can take to improve air quality and ensure your heating and cooling systems aren’t wasting energy. Clean air ducts mean cleaner air, less strain on your system, and even lower energy bills, so it’s a simple but really effective thing to do. Switch To Reusable Products If your office is still stocking up on single-use plastic items, it’s time for a change - swap your disposable cups, utensils, and plates for reusable ones and you’ll be surprised at how much waste to eliminate. And what about encouraging people to bring their own mugs and water bottles to work? Give them tea, coffee, and water to refill everything with, and you’ll be doing your bit to help the planet and have less waste to deal with as well. And don’t stop with these things either - there are loads of reusable products that could be useful in your office. You could have refillable pens and ink cartridges for your printer, for example. Go Paperless Speaking of your printer, is that an office machine you actually need? If you were to go digital and aim for a paperless office , you might be able to do away with the printer, which means less money spent on ink and paper, and less energy used altogether. You should be able to set up a system where documents can be shared online and stored electronically, and there are plenty of tools around to help you do exactly that (and much more). If you don’t need to print something and you don’t need a physical copy of a document, don’t make one - just use the digital version instead and you’ll be a lot more eco-friendly.

3 Most Unsustainable Industries & What They're Doing To Be More Eco-Conscious

By Julie Starr • 04 Oct, 2024
Sustainability often gets pushed on the common person. Joe Public is told to be more sustainable with their daily habits as the government pushes for more eco-friendly measures. This is all well and good - but does it really matter when 71% of greenhouse gas emissions come from just 100 companies around the world? Small business owners are desperate to prove their sustainability, but what are bigger companies in some of the most polluting industries doing to help? We’ve taken three of the least sustainable sectors on the planet and explored the unique ways they’re trying to cut down on emissions and be more eco-friendly. Mining Any industry revolving around drilling underground will not be very environmentally friendly! Mining causes a lot of pollution, but its unsustainability often comes from the way it damages local environments and ecosystems. So, what is this industry doing to change things? It’s largely focusing on more responsible mining practices to reduce waste and mitigate the impact on local environments. This is done through mining dust suppression systems to prevent airborne pollution, reforesting mining sites when they’re no longer in use, and recycling as many materials as possible. Is it perfect? No, but it’s a step in the right direction. Fossil Fuels Shock horror; the fossil fuels industry is the most damaging to our environment. Finding ways to change the scope of this sector is the key to ensuring a better future for all. Some companies in this industry are trying to do this through carbon capture and storage. This is a technique where CO2 emissions are captured before they’re released into the atmosphere and stored underground. Realistically, the main thing fossil fuel companies should be doing is pushing for more renewable energy sources. Many are doing this - though reports suggest they’re not investing as much as they should. If fossil fuel companies dumped more money into developing biofuels and other renewable sources, pollution from this industry would drop dramatically. Fashion The most unbelievable stat to take from this post is that the fashion industry is responsible for 10% of our global carbon footprint . That’s remarkable (and worrying), considering how most of us don’t view it as a “dangerous” industry. Fast fashion is the main problem; poorly-made goods are pumped out at a rapid rate, and consumers constantly buy new things. Fashion companies are trying their best to resolve this. Most big brands will now have sustainable lines using recyclable materials. Consumers also hold the key to solving this problem: stop buying new clothes all the time and wear yours for longer. Or buy pre-owned clothes to slow down the fashion production line. Companies can still do more as well: they are trying to adopt more eco-friendly production processes that use less water and energy. The moral of this post is that everyone can do their bit to fight for a more sustainable future. Keep this in mind for your small business . It doesn’t matter what industry you’re in; there will always be ways to promote eco-friendly practices.
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