Greener ICT
Reduce power consumption
- Turn off all computer equipment which is not being used. You might find standby control adapters useful
- Re-use PC equipment rather than buying new
- Opt for '''low-power consumption processors''' (if this is double-dutch, ask us for advice)
- The EU Energy Star website provides an online energy calculator to work out the energy consumption of each of your PCs/laptops. The Energy Star rating system will be extended to servers this year to help you select 'greener' equipment.
Dispose of your old computer equipment 
thoughtfully
Computers, monitors, print cartridges etc all contain toxic metals and/or chemicals. Putting them in landfill can lead to contamination and environmental degredation. New EU regulations impose a duty on local authorities to provide facilities for you to dispose of your old computer equipment safely.
Local safe disposal of electronic equipment:
Local authorities provide facilities to dispose safely of electronic equipment which may contain toxic metals and so is unsuitable for landfill.
- ComputerAid will re-use computers with adequate specification and will also dispose of IT equipment, printers etc which they can't use but will ask you to cover the cost of disposing of it in accordance with WEEE regulations. Details of what equipment ComputerAid can reuse and cost for recycling unuseable items here
- List of London recycling centres which accept electronic items
- Information on free electronic waste disposal in Tower Hamlets
- Information on free electronic waste disposal in Newham
- Hackney residents are allowed to use the South Access Road Site in LB Newham's Waltham Forest facility (Newham link above)
- City residents need to use the Tower Hamlets facility at Recycling Centre at Northumberland Wharf (click the Tower Hamlets link above)
- Polymer Recyling will safely dispose of CDs and DVDs
- Or give your old PC or laptop a new lease of life by switching to Ubuntu
