We recently launched a new “going green” site for the Consumer Electronics Association, GreenerGadgets.org. CEA wanted an online resource where consumers could learn to be both tech-savvy and environmentally friendly. We already implement some green tactics in our own office, so we were excited to develop this site and teach others how to calculate their energy usage so they know when it is time to get a new product or appliance and where to recycle their old ones.

In order to do that, our team developed two custom web applications. The first web app is an in-depth energy calculator. It clearly illustrates a consumer’s usage and details costs for their energy bills monthly and yearly. You can simply go in and input your usage of a certain electronic and calculate how much you are spending versus how much you could save. This is all in an effort to educate the consumer in hopes of them consuming less and in turn, saving more money.

The second web app is an electronics recycling locator. All you have to do is put in your zip code, and it brings up the closest electronics recycling locations. Best Buy and Goodwill were the most convenient places for us when we put in our zip code — click here to find out yours!

The website also include tips and information for the consumer to learn more about going green. The “living green” tab gives steps on how to lessen your footprint. The “buying green” tab lists tips for making smart green purchases; ENERGY STAR and EPEAT-certified products currently offer the largest energy cost savings. Some electronics can be recycled for cash or donated to an organization in need, and the “recycling responsibly” tab details some of those opportunities. Also, the “what’s new” tab discusses the latest information on green electronics from CEA.

Going green with electronics is a simple and effective way to help the environment. This new website can do that by helping the consumer become more knowledgeable. For more information, please check out the site at http://greenergadgets.org.