April 30th, 2009
Green Tech: TVs, laptops, desktops, cell phones, and even bicycles
With April just about over, all of the Earth Day talk may be forgotten along with all of the tips you learned for keeping the planet green. But, there are ways to help the environment in your everyday life, which includes your daily use of consumer electronics and tech gadgets. Last night, Pepcom held EcoFocus, an event to showcase current trends in green design and technology. Over 36 companies were there, and we chose some of the best products to show you.
I took a few photos, and added a few product shots for a better idea of what kind of green gadgets are out there right now. Check out the photo gallery, and read more below.
The event wasn’t overflowing in innovative green tech concepts. Many of the consumer electronics companies spoke about their recycling and trade-in programs. A recurring theme was recycling and re-using unwanted electronics to create new products. According to iolo technologies, 82 percent of PCs end up in a landfill after just 30 months of use. Samsung, for example was giving away pre-paid mailing envelopes to recycle any unwanted cell phones (click here to have one mailed to you). Many companies will pay for you to send them your unwanted items, instead of tossing them into the garbage.
Going around to each company at the expo, and hearing a similar spiel about that particular recycling and/or trade-in program, got old pretty quickly. But, it’s good to know that most businesses are taking part in helping the environment.
We still have a ways to go in integrating energy efficient and eco-friendly products into every area of life — in this case, consumer electronics. Sure, you may drive a hybrid and use recycled toilet paper, but how green is your home computer that you leave on all day while away at work?
Jennifer R. Bergen is a journalist and blogger living in New York City. See her full profile and disclosure of her industry affiliations.
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