With the climate crisis affecting the entire world, greenhouse gas emissions must be significantly reduced to keep global temperature rise below the 1.5°C threshold.

Experts believe it is possible with small actions that will have a big impact. When it comes to buying behavior, there are many steps that can be taken. “Each of us can make simple choices, including crucial laptop purchases, to reduce our carbon footprint,” he said. Ümit Yesiltaş, Sales Manager, Dell Technologies Customer Solutions Group, Turkeyprovides 11 tips to minimize the damage laptop users can do to the environment.

1- Know your carbon footprint

Do you know how much your ecological footprint is? This is the amount of greenhouse gases (GHGs), including carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, and other gases that you produce as you go about your life. There are some calculators on the market that can help you calculate your carbon footprint, such as carbon footprint. Even you might be surprised by your own footprint when using them. So knowing this can be the first step in figuring out where you can save. Many brands also use the carbon footprint of different models to give you more information in your sustainable purchasing decisions. It helps you compare.

2- Turn your old electronic devices into social benefit

We actually see recycling as a waste problem, but it is also a climate problem. For example, a product made from recycled aluminum can have 95 percent less carbon footprint than if the same product is made from untreated aluminum.

So before you buy a new laptop or technological device, think about how you, as responsible persons, can return, refurbish or recycle the old one. For example, the Electronic Waste Recycling Support Association (EAGD) ensures that electronic waste is sent for recycling, repaired, made available and delivered to those in need through municipalities and authorized recyclers, and that your electronic devices can be delivered from the address that you specify.

3- Can you fix it before replacing it?

It is important to check that a laptop is designed with repair and recycling in mind, as repair is a necessity to make products last longer and prevent them from being thrown away. If a part is covered in glue and takes hours to take parts apart, it may not be as easy to repair or even recyclable.

Some brands give their customers easy access to the resources, spare parts and support they need if they want to repair their products themselves. For example, some brands, such as Dell, provide online access to information, manuals, and downloads that keep products running. Publishing parts lists online allows customers to order parts to make repairs themselves. Dell Technologies has even developed an augmented reality app that provides step-by-step instructions for replacing parts for nearly 100 products for many of the problems customers can solve.

4- Upgrade

Most of us consider switching computers to be able to use the latest applications or play games. Before purchasing a new one, check if you can upgrade components such as memory, storage, graphics cards or CPU to extend the normal life of your device.

5- Old devices can be your new device

If you’ve decided to buy a new laptop, why not consider buying a refurbished laptop? Having a review through an authorized renewal program removes the uncertainty of buying one-to-one from websites. So you have peace of mind with a warranty that protects your device and your work.

6- Prefer sustainable production equipment

If you buy new, you can see what material it is made of. There are many recyclable materials that can be used in the manufacture of laptops. Recyclable and renewable materials, including recycled bioplastic from paper industry trees, reclaimed carbon fiber, recycled consumer plastic and new bio-based rubber feet made from castor oil, can now all be used in the production of sustainable laptops.

7- Give importance to energy efficiency

You use energy-efficient LED lights in your home, but do you know how energy-efficient your laptop is? Energy-efficient appliances help you reduce the amount of energy you need and lower your electricity bill.

8- Reduce power consumption in “standby mode”

Virtually all new electrical appliances such as TVs, microwaves, air conditioners consume electricity on standby 24 hours a day, often without the consumer’s knowledge. Research into standby electricity consumption in many countries shows that standby electricity consumption accounts for about 3 to 10 percent of total household electricity consumption. However, there is no research yet to determine the amount and percentage of standby electricity consumption for households in Turkey. Although it is not very common in our country, you can buy electronic devices that measure electricity consumption via the Internet. Some licensed electricity distribution companies offer free programs on their websites that calculate how much electricity household appliances consume. You can also adjust your power consumption behaviour, for example by preventing unnecessary overloading of your laptop. Unplugging it from the outlet as soon as it’s charged will save energy and extend your battery life. You can also reduce power consumption and extend battery life by optimizing your computer’s power settings, backlit keyboard, screen brightness, and adjusting your settings according to “Best Battery Life”.

9- Make sustainable choices based on packaging

According to the report “Plastic Waste Problem in Turkey and Policy Recommendations”, prepared by the Boğaziçi University Institute of Environmental Sciences and WWF Turkey (World Wildlife Fund), 11 million tons of plastic waste end up in the sea every year. Turkey; It is the third country to leave the most plastic waste in the Mediterranean after Egypt and Italy. At this point it is important to make sustainable choices based on packaging. If you’re looking to choose a more sustainable laptop, see if the company uses Styrofoam or other packaging materials that are difficult or impossible to recycle. Many companies are now using reclaimed plastics and natural products such as bamboo to make more sustainable packaging. This way, as a responsible person, you can recycle or compost or use this packaging while recycling your old technology!

10- Trade for the future

If you want to do your part to protect the environment, one of the easiest things you can do is keep your laptop in good working order. This means protecting against damage and extending life. So update your software regularly, pay attention to the battery and keep your laptop clean to optimize the efficiency of your computer and prevent viruses!

While the software can’t help you remove fingerprints on the screen, it can help keep your energy-efficient laptop running like new. For example, Dell’s SupportAssist application running on your computer is a smart technology that removes viruses, detects problems, optimizes settings and alerts you when to update. All this keeps your laptop healthier and reduces the need to replace or refurbish/recycle.

Consider purchasing a laptop bag to keep your sustainable laptop choice on the go. For the double choice of sustainability, there are eco-friendly products on the market, such as the Ecoloop Pro backpack, which is made from recycled plastics collected from the oceans.

11th- Opt for versatile, functional devices

How multifunctional can you make your device? Can you use your laptop for school, work and entertainment, for example? If you like to play games, look for a computer that doesn’t force you into the game you’re playing, and can keep you focused when there’s a time limit. You may even consider repurposing your old tablets or phones as home management devices for alarm systems or other uses.

As a consumer, you have the power to influence how seriously companies take their collective carbon footprint. When making your purchasing decisions, you can choose to reward companies’ products with strong sustainability programs. You can also let them know that you appreciate their work through social media or other channels. Because everyone deserves a little positive boost every now and then! The choices you make, both at the ballot box and at the register, represent your willingness to decarbonise the economy and put pressure on solutions to climate change.

Source: (BYZHA) – Beyaz News Agency