By IT Brew Staff
less than 3 min read
Definition:
Green IT is a sprawling topic that covers everything from the disposal of e-waste to the efficient use of water and electricity in data centers. At every step of the supply chain, organizations and individuals can take steps to reduce their environmental footprint when using IT.
For example, hardware designers can think of ways to make their latest products, such as laptops and smartphones, more energy efficient; the companies selling that hardware can spin up e-waste programs to ensure the last generation of laptops and other devices don’t end up in a landfill. Data center operators can consider the environmental impact of their facilities, and take steps to reduce their energy and water usage.
For IT pros, aligning with green IT principles can take many forms: refiling printer cartridges instead of buying new ones, setting laptops’ power-management settings to conserve energy, and shutting down other endpoint devices when not in use. IT pros can also engage in sustainable procurement, and purchase technology from vendors that follow green IT practices.
However, it can prove difficult to determine whether green IT initiatives are truly making a difference. While some of the nation’s largest tech companies, including Apple and Microsoft, have regularly issued sustainability reports breaking down their attempts to become “carbon neutral” and “zero waste,” much of the progress in the IT industry (or lack thereof) goes undocumented. Although some green IT policies can save money, improve a company’s brand, and help spare the environment, it can also prove difficult for some organizations to prioritize over other business concerns.
