8 ways to be environment friendly when shopping for electronics

Our rapid growth as a society and civilisation came at the cost of environmental degradation. As a result, global warming and several types of pollution are at an all-time high. Now is the time then to actually take concrete action to control and remedy this situation. And for this to happen on a global scale, we as individuals, need to do our part. So here is a list of small, but significant, things you can practise when buying electronics for a positive impact on the environment.

8 things you can do to be more environmentally friendly

Carbon footprint

Reducing your carbon footprint not just in terms of electronic devices and their use, but going beyond it to implement sustainable practices in all aspects of your daily life. For instance, you can try switching to renewable energy and being self-reliant.

Supporting environment-friendly brands

Another way in which you can indirectly give back to the environment is by supporting brands that adopt environment-friendly outlooks, approaches, and sustainability in their business model.

Being considerate

Judge your own needs and then judiciously decide whether you need to buy certain new gadgets or not. Don’t buy it unless you are going to use it and it is a valid useful purchase. Don’t buy just for the novelty of it. It adds to your carbon footprint and burden of e-waste as well.

Star-rating

When buying home appliances such as fridges and AC , always keep in mind the star rating as appliances with a lower star rating consume more energy. A 5-star rated appliance will always be the most energy efficient.

ALSO READ: Difference between 3 Star and 4 Star ACs

Responsible usage

A bigger part of owning an appliance is actually using it. Changing your habits and how you use them can drastically save energy and cut your carbon footprint. Try to inculcate good practices such as switching off electronics around the house when not in use.

ALSO READ: Should the refrigerator be turned off at night?

After-use dumping

You may be aware that the e-waste issue is on the rise. And one of the biggest challenges is wrongful or irresponsible e-waste dumping. Always try to dispose of your electronic waste in a safe manner so that it doesn’t harm the environment.

Recycle

Remember the three-R we were taught in school. Well, it’s time to go beyond theory and apply these in your daily life. Try to recycle as much as possible. Developing habits such as not changing devices too frequently or frivolously and using a device as long as its prescribed life cycle will help you cut down your individual e-waste.

Being aware

More than any small or big step, the biggest thing you can do to give back to the environment is educate yourself on the responsibilities you as an individual bear towards the environment. And then actually imbibe these good practices to develop a sensibility and make changes in your habits for good.