There’s nothing wrong with enjoying modern technology. Of course, if you’re reading this, then you likely have some kind of device in your hands or upon your desktop in order to do so. Sustainable living doesn’t mean living in a hut in the woods or refusing to adopt the standards of the day.
However, it does mean doing our best to avoid wanton waste and pushing for sustainability initiatives whenever we can. For instance, this is why many companies have started to reduce their plastic packaging in direct response to consumer demand.
It’s also true, though, that you don’t have to adhere to the constant yearly updates of the latest and greatest tech device in order to make use of these conveniences. To do so is a waste. There’s no shame in waiting a few generations for your next upgrade, especially when with a few tips and tricks you can keep your current device functional.
This might sound too good to be true, but it really isn’t, and it can help you limit your consumerism which is sustainability in itself. Let’s consider how you might go about that:
Learn To Maintain & Repair Your Device
It’s good to learn how to maintain and repair your device properly so that you can improve its longevity and decrease the amount of upgrades you need throughout the years. For instance, using the best malware removal for Mac, or learning how to replace the thermal paste on your CPU and dust the internals of your laptop can make a huge difference to how functional it remains over the long term.
Consider The Size & Impact Of Your Device
It’s good to question what device is actually appropriate for you, that is what you may need most in order to live comfortably and have all of your provisions taken care of. You may be thoroughly surprised just how little it requires. For instance, a small 10” duet notebook that also serves as a tablet will be much less power-hungry than a desktop computer with all of its peripherals. As devices get smaller and more powerful, it can’t hurt to ask exactly what your main tasks are, and if you can opt for something a little more humble and affordable if you need to.
Implement Power Saving Features
Many devices now come with power-saving features to improve the battery life of a given device while also avoiding wastage. Enabling these in settings can be a great idea. This can help you turn off screen on time when not in use, or to make sure that the computer shuts down properly instead of implementing a hibernating state which still uses power. Depending on your needs for the device your requirements may change, but it can never hurt to try and save power, save consumption, and to reduce the impact use of your device might have in the long term.
With this advice, we can take a sustainable look at utilising the devices we all take for granted in our day to day.
Photography by Vadim Kaipov
