Green Computing Strategy for BNLCP

Date: 
Tuesday, 8 June 2010

Green Computing Policy

For several years now there have been various initiatives led by the UK Government to raise awareness amongst organisations of the issues related to sustainable development. One of these initiatives is the promotion and adoption of “Green Computing” or “Sustainable IT” policies.

Green Computing is the study and practice of using computing resources efficiently in a environmentally sound manner. There are several areas where Green Computing principles can be applied:

  • buying equipment;
  • installing and setting up systems;
  • day-to-day use; and
  • disposal and recycling of equipment and consumables

 

Objectives

Core objectives for a Green Computing Strategy for BNLCP sponsored activities are:

  • Positively discriminating in favour of green energy and using green suppliers
  • Using technology so as to reduce carbon emissions and waste
  • Reducing the paper and other consumables used, and
  • Minimising equipment disposal requirements

Minimising resource consumption from the IT


When supplying and funding ICT equipment BNLCP will positively discriminate in favour of green energy and using green suppliers and encourage. This includes

  • Choosing devices with appropriate energy saving levels
  • Choosing multifunctional devices
  • Preferring suppliers with environmentally sound delivery strategies which includes limiting the amount of packaging
  • Implementing systems so as to efficiently share resources such as storage devices and peripherals
  • Encouraging partners to, where practical, share specialist equipment such as those related to the needs of disabled computer users
  • Defaulting to short time periods before power saving options become active
  • Encourage the reduction of printed materials

Using technology to benefit the environment


Technology can reduce energy hungry and polluting activities. Electronic communication saves printing documents and reduces travel. BNLCP will encourage

  • The use of technologies such as webinars and teleconferencing for meetings and training
  • Using remote support technologies to minimise travel (and therefore CO2 emissions) in order to meet technical support requirements
  • The use of fax-to-email by partners
  • The use of electronic publication of documents
  • The use of software to monitor and promote the efficient use of resources

Reducing the paper and other consumables used

BNLCP will encourage the reduction of waste associated with IT. This includes reducing the use of disposables

  • Include reminders recommending avoiding unnecessary printing of communications and documents
  • Promoting electronic registration and data collection

Equipment disposal and recycling

BNLCP will avoid unnecessary upgrading, and re-use and recycle computing equipment whenever possible. Particular strategies include

  1. Maximising the working life of equipment (rather than simply refreshing every 3 years)
  2. Enabling re-use of equipment by other organisations once it has been refreshed (for example by providing valid Operating System keys with equipment for disposal)
  3. Promoting organisations that can refurbish or recondition ICT equipment