Reduce, Recycle, Reboot

One of the biggest global challenges we’re currently facing is how to be more sustainable. For most of us, hearing about climate change from a young age has greatly shaped the decisions we make—including things like our purchases. But with many things moving online and tech being an ever-changing landscape, how can we be more sustainable online?

The answer lies in small changes that can add up to make real and lasting change, including how we channel our time spent online.

Here are some of our top tips to get you started on your sustainable digital journey.

Don’t hold on to things you don’t need
We’re all used to saving things online. Backing up files and photos is almost second nature to most—especially when it comes to office jobs. But while the cloud is super convenient, it’s a real thing and it uses a lot of power to store all the data. By being a bit more intentional about what we save on the cloud we can reduce the need for such large and powerful institutions. What does that look like for you? Start by deleting old or duplicate files. If you haven’t opened it for the past year, think long and hard about if you really need Project_V2_Final_FINAL.pdf in your storage.

Another quick and super therapeutic way to remove some of this data build up is to unsubscribe from unwanted emails. Emails, like texts or calls should only be about things you really need or want to know about. Clearing these daily emails won’t just reduce the power required to send them, but it’ll free up your mental space to focus on what’s truly important.

Stream smarter
Streaming is an amazing tool and it’s no surprise that it’s one of the internet’s biggest appeals. But that being said, it’s also one of the biggest energy consumers. Gaming, music, videos—it all adds up.

Now, we’re not saying to never stream anything but there are small things that can be done to help reduce the constant impact of streaming culture. Downloading music or videos to your devices for offline use is the first in many steps of reducing the impact of streaming. But equally impactful is to turn off any auto play settings that might be running in the background. When your apps are always looking for what to show you next, they’re also burning through a lot of power to bring that data to life. Things like video quality can also be driving up unnecessary power, make sure to check out lower quality options before ruling them out, you might be shocked to see that it’s usually not that different at all.

Oh, and close your apps. You don’t need them all buzzing in the background. We promise.

Cancel upgrade culture
Big tech companies love shiny things, and marketing works hard to tell us that we do too. Don’t fall for it. 9/10 times you probably don’t need the newest tech for what you want to do online. The production of electronic devices, from smartphones to laptops, consumes significant energy and natural resources, including rare minerals. Constant upgrading and replacing of devices increases demand for new electronics and leads to more e-waste.

If a device breaks, it's often fixable. In fact there are initiatives like Right to Repair that work to  While it can be inconvenient in the short term, taking things to be repaired will have long term global benefits. If something can’t be repaired then don’t forget to ask your local tech store how to recycle your devices. One part may not be saveable but many others still could be—don’t throw the baby out with the bathwater as they say. Getting new things should feel exciting, in order to keep that enjoyment at its peak, make sure not to buy into the never ending cycle of upgrades. Until we have used up what we have as a global community, we really can’t afford to keep digging up new resources.

Find the companies who are doing the work too
This one takes a little bit of time but it’s well worth it in the end. Some companies might hide their sustainability missions (or lack thereof) but others are dying to tell you about the steps they are making towards better decisions. As the person spending their hard earned money on these devices, you have the power to choose to support businesses that prioritise your priorities.

Take time to research the company’s environmental policies. Companies that invest in renewable energy, use recycled materials, or have active recycling programs do exist, you just need to keep an eye out for them. The more we collectively champion them, the faster other companies will be forced to raise the bar on making better choices.

Champion offline time
We know, we know, but it has to be said. Offline time is valuable. Not meaning you should go back to writing documents on a typewriter or can’t work remotely, but when you take a long look at your time spent online there are many things that are actually more enjoyable to do in person. We know it’s not the same for everyone but little steps like an afternoon spent shopping in stores or picking up your own groceries on the way home are huge steps away from hours spent scrolling online to order things.

It’s also a good idea to incorporate movement into time offline and playing sports is much more beneficial for you than the next 20 levels of Candy Crush. We’re never going to suggest you ditch your entire online lifestyle, but small adjustments could be just what you’re looking for.

Yes, we see the irony of a website telling you about spending less time online. But as humans who spend a lot of time online we’re super conscious of the digital landscape and how it changes. Our team is committed to making choices that benefit the planet and personal health. We hope these small tips can help you feel more aware and more informed when it comes to making techy choices.