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10 Ways for a Web Designer to Save the Environment

Added Tuesday 11/11/2008

You may think that as a web designer, you don't play too large a role in saving the environment and making the world a better place for future generations to come.

But just as every little drop of water adds up to make the mighty oceans, every small green thing you do helps to make our planet more sustainable and livable. So if you're interested in contributing your mite, here are 10 ways in which you can help save the environment:

1. Work from home:
You save the earth from the emission of fossil fuels that you would burn during your commute to and from work.

2. Use less paper:
You don't have to print out your designs to see how they look; and even if you do have to use paper, invest in the recycled kind and make sure you use both sides.

3. Turn off your computer when you're not using it:
Even systems on standby or those that are hibernating consume a certain amount of power, so make sure you shut down your computer when you're not going to use it for some length of time.

4. Use alternative power:
Rather than hook up to regular electricity to power your devices, try investing in solar or wind power sources.

5. Email your clients instead of sending them mail through the regular post:
Use email to send your clients marketing and promotional offers and for other communication needs instead of wasting paper by sending messages through regular mail.

6. Don't keep buying new gadgets:
It's not that you need to save yourself some money, it's just that you need to be concerned with the way your old electronic gadgets will be disposed. Most parts are not recyclable, and the more new stuff you buy, the higher the pile of junk grows.

7. Use LCD monitors:
It's a well-known fact that LCD monitors consume less than half the power that traditional CRT monitors do.

8. Invest in a notebook computer:
A laptop computer uses much less power than a regular desktop.

9. Make your meetings virtual:
Rather than drive to and from locations or have your clients do the same for meetings, use teleconferencing facilities, or simpler still, just use the telephone.

10. Work during the day:
When you're a night bug, you have to consume more electricity because of the lights that you have to keep on. So switch to daylight, and make a world of difference.

This article is contributed by Sarah Scrafford, who regularly writes on the topic of web design schools. She invites your questions, comments and freelancing job inquiries at her email address: sarah.scrafford25@gmail.com.