Devoted to Help Desk and Technical Support personnel and applications

Today is Blog Action Day, and as IT professionals, there are a number of things you and I can do to lighten the load on our environment.  Sometimes it doesn't really take much to make a big difference.  Here are eight simple ways to go green.  

1.  When scheduling, make your employee's work schedules flexible for those who would like to work 4/10s  (4 days per week, ten hours per day.)

2.  Consider the possibility of allowing some employees to work at home.  (I know this is a touchy subject, but it can save gas.)

3.  At least once a week, if you don't already, leave your car at home.

4.  Dispose of old parts responsibly.

a.  How to recycle or refurbish old computers

b.  How to properly dispose of RSA tokens.

c.  What to do with a burnt out UPS - recycle or contact your local trash disposal yard to find out the proper procedure.  Never throw them in the trash.

5.  Put recycle bins in your break room.

6.  If you have to print off documents, use both sides of the paper.  The latest laser printers even print more than one page per side.

7.  If you don't turn off your computer every night before you leave work, at least turn it off before you leave for the weekend.  Use power management when you are not using your computer, and ask your team to do the same.  

8.  Purchase durable versatile products rather than cheap products.  

Can you think of anything else?  Comment on it!  Share your knowledge!