Neit2009+Open+Space+1+E

=Green Technology= The recurring theme is that a lack of caring fed by a lack of awareness allows bad habits to continue wasteful practices. The solution begins with making everyone aware of their contribution to waste.

We discussed areas of waste starting with paper/printing. Metin described using "Pcounter" software to keep track of individual printouts for students and teachers. Bringing the number of printouts to everyone's awareness seems to be the key.
 * Paper/printing Indulgence**

(The Open Space 1 J session " Printing - All aspects of printing discussed mentioned a similar sounding utility: [|GreenPrint], which is free for schools & private use.)

Growth of paper printouts is the obvious result of having so many more printers. Discussed returning to centralized printing rather than a printer in every room as a level of control.

One school removed all color printers for students. Color printers available to teachers and for select student projects.

Another school has found it successful to separate useable paper that has been printed on one side, and to print on the blank side as much as possible. Teachers are willing to accept used paper. The key it taking time to remove stapled and crumpled paper.

"Per Scolas" is a reputable NFP organization that rehabilitates used equipment for donation to other NFP like schools and churches:
 * E-waste**

"Per Scholas is a non-profit social venture dedicated to using technology to improve the lives of people in low-income communities. Operating out of locations in the South Bronx and Miami, our vocational training, computer distribution and recycling programs work together to empower children and help adults build living-wage careers. Per Scholas provides environmentally responsible recycling for computer equipment, the best of which is reconditioned and distributed to low-income families at the lowest possible price."

Websites exploring and explain the dangers of thoughtless e-waste: @http://www.dosomething.org/tipsandtools/11-facts-about-e-waste http://www.green-technology.org/green_technology_magazine/e-waste.htm http://www.greenpeace.org/usa/photosvideos/slideshows/e-waste-hall-of-shame

Use  as default browser. This is Google in black and white. Using fewer white/color pixels requires less energy. The website describes "1,545,450.973 Watt hours saved" through its use.
 * Helpful Tools/Practices/Questions**

"Kilowatts" software measures power usage allowing comparison and impact.

Questioned how long a computer not be in use before it should be shut down. Here's the answer: The going recommendation is to "sleep" your monitor if you are not using it within the next 20 minutes.  and to turn off your computer if you are not using it within the next two hours .

One school is replacing Smartboards with large screen TVs and tablets as a cost and energy-saving reduction.

Chargers should be unplugged from the power source when not in use since they continue to drain power EVEN WHEN THE DEVICE IS DISCONNECTED.

Mercury bulbs from projectors must be disposed of in a controlled manner. " www.relampit.com " will recycle your old bulbs, and dispose of the Mecury waste. In addition, they will re-manufacture the projector lamp and return it to you with a new bulb for about half the cost of a new lamp.

Switching servers and other devices to 220v (instead of 120v) reduces the power required to run that device, therefore reducing both power consumption as well as reducing heat, and your A/C has a lower load.

The "Story of Stuff"  gives the story of consumerism and embedded waste from beginning to end.

The "Kill-a-Watt" plug-in electricity usage monitor allows you to plug devices into it and read directly teh kilowatt per hour usage - the metric by which power is billed to you - in real time.

Some questions were raised about leaving a computer on vs. turning it off, and the reletive use of energy. Here's a good web site that speaks to a range of these questios: @http://morethanswitchingoffthelights.blogspot.com/

I didn't attend this session, but an interesting green technology is the Eco Font: http://www.ecofont.eu/downloads_en.html ... looks like Arial, has tiny holes in each letter. Apparently potential ink savings up to 20%. Relatively easy to install, more hands-on to set as default font in applications (unless you want to reimage).