| Going green is becoming more and more | | | | many of us couldn't do without our cell phones |
| important everyday. You hear a lot about saving | | | | and don't even try to pull a teenager away from |
| energy and cutting down on air pollution caused | | | | their MP3 player or cell phone. So what can be |
| from the exhaust of vehicles but you don't hear | | | | done to lessen the impact of these portable |
| much about portable devices. Do small everyday | | | | devices? Below are a few suggestions that can |
| electronics have an impact on the planet? The | | | | help out: |
| answer is yes although, individually, they don't | | | | - Before purchasing any handheld device, consider |
| make much of an impact. However, when you | | | | the lifecycle of that device and consider how it |
| take into consideration how many portable | | | | can be recycled when it is no longer of value to |
| devices are used every day, you can see how | | | | you. |
| together they can create quite an impact. | | | | - Use rechargeable batteries whenever possible. |
| So what exactly would fall into the category of | | | | - Look for the energy star rating for the device |
| portable devices? Below is a list of a few small | | | | you plan to buy to try and find the one that is |
| handheld electronics that many people carry | | | | most energy friendly. |
| around with them everyday: | | | | - Unplug the power cord when not recharging the |
| - Cell phones | | | | device to eliminate vampire power from wasting |
| - MP3 players | | | | energy. |
| - Digital cameras | | | | - Try buying used portable devices when it's |
| - Gameboys | | | | appropriate and don't trade in your cell phone for |
| - Palm Pilots | | | | a new one each time something different shows |
| How many of these do you carry around with | | | | up on the market. |
| you each day? These handheld devices need to | | | | - Invest in a small personal charging device that |
| be re-charged or the batteries need to be | | | | allows you to use solar or wind power to charge |
| replaced regularly in order for the device to | | | | your portable devices. These are becoming more |
| continue working. How many old cell phones have | | | | popular all the time. |
| ended up in the trash just from your family | | | | You don't have to avoid using portable devices to |
| alone? Should we even mention all those worn out | | | | lessen the impact they have on the environment, |
| batteries that get discarded each year? | | | | you simply have to use them more responsibility. |
| As you can see, portable devices have a large | | | | Think about what changes you can make that will |
| impact on the environment even though they | | | | make a difference. |
| appear to be harmless at first glance. Of course, | | | | |