What exactly is green IT?

People use the term green IT so often now, it is assumed that there is a definition for it.  And the definition is widely known and accepted.  But is this really the case?  Green IT to one person could mean consolidating their servers, while green IT to someone else could mean recycling old computers and other IT equipment.  Certainly, the definition of green IT should include both of these, but also so much more.  Green IT is also known as green computing.  Green computing is the study and practice of using computing resources efficiently and accounting for the triple bottom line.  It begins with the manufacturing of environmentally-responsible IT products like computers, servers, and printers.  It continues by implementing these products in conjunction with a policy that promotes energy-efficiency and the maximum use of these resources.  The loop closes with the proper recycling and disposal of all electronic waste generated.

Buying energy-efficient and environmentally-friendly IT equipment is now easier than ever before.  The Green Electronics Council has recently joined forces with EcoLogo, a well-known North American certification program managed by TerraChoice Environmental Marketing.  The Green Electronics Council manages EPEAT or the Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool, which is an online tool that informs organizations of the environmental criteria of electronic products.  EcoLogo currently certifies thousands of products in dozens of categories.  This partnership will make it easier to certify and promote electronics that are energy-efficient, easily recyclable, and free of toxic chemicals.  In addition, the EPA’s Energy Star program rates electronics based on their energy-efficiency.  Greenpeace even puts out an annual report card on electronics manufacturers called .  It ranks companies based upon their policies concerning toxic chemicals, recycling, and climate change. 

There are several organizations you can join, as well, if you want to be among like-minded green company.  The Think Green Alliance is an organization that seeks to build a community of businesses and organizations that are like-minded in their commitment to providing environmentally-friendly and sustainable services, products, and goods.  The Green Grid is a global consortium dedicated to advancing energy-efficiency in data centers and business computing ecosystems. 

To ensure the entire life cycle of your electronics are taken into account, there are two major guidelines, both European, to keep in mind.  The RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) directive ensures that newly manufactured electronics contain acceptable levels of lead, cadmium, mercury, hexavalent chromium, polybrominated biphenyl (PBB) and polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) flame retardants.  The WEEE (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment) directive seeks to reduce the disposal of electronic waste through reuse, recycling, and recovery.  In order to ensure that your electronic waste is indeed getting properly recycled, be sure to look for environmentally-responsible recyclers who follow standards set forth by the Basel Action Network as part of its Computer TakeBack Campaign’s Electronics Recycler’s Pledge of True Stewardship.

Green IT is an important component for any organization trying to put their environmentally-friendly foot forward.  This is the year to move ahead with power management software, consolidating servers, and making those data centers more energy-efficient.  When companies move forward with those and other green initiatives, 2009 should prove to be a great year for green IT.