Techie Tips: How To Help Save The Environment (And Money)

The increasing obsession with Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Netflix and other online services such as music hosting and online shopping has seen the consumers spending more and more time on the internet with the use of  smartphones and tablets. Ages from 18-27 years old are proving to be the world's top mobile social networkers. 

While many are obsessed with technology, there are still those who are concerned about how this obsession with gadgets may affect the environment. These users use gadgets that are made from eco-friendly/recycled materials and are very much conscious of how much energy and natural resources are spent (manufacturing the gadgets) and how much money they spend on energy consumption operating these products. (Hence, the development of solar powered gadgets like power banks, chargers, toys, among others).

Here are a few tips on how to reduce wastes from gadgets and become like them... The Eco-Techies.

1. Consider gadgets that are refurbished. Refurbished electronics are often as good as new. You can find items that still come with a warranty (those that are used in less than a year), box and complete with accessories. And you can save a lot from these.

2. See gadgets as assets. Resell the ones you are no longer using or have no intention of using but are still of value. Post ii on Craigslist, eBay or other similar sites. You can have a few to hundred dollars in "returns," which, of course, can then be used to subsidize your next purchase. Also this way, you are helping global waste management.

3. There is, oftentimes, no harm in using Freeware and OpenSource. It does almost everything a software does at no cost. There are a lot out there that is at par with a licensed software. Plus, you don't have to keep the packages (that becomes trash) as all of them are downloadable. 

4. Switch to Energy-saving lightings. Installing four or five new light bulbs can save you around $47 a year, and costs only about $24. Don't worry about performance as they have come a long way since they first entered the market; with much improvement in their design giving them the same quality and intensity as with incandescent bulbs. Maybe even better.

5. Consider a cable modem. One line, providing for two. The savings you can make from this one can be quite huge. Have your cable TV cut and see if you can find your favorite shows and programs on streaming websites such as Netflix and Amazon. You may have to sacrifice a few channels, but saving up to $94 a month is something, we're sure, you would prefer.