As a big fan of eco design and green architecture, I thought it proper to come up with some ways in which web designers can help better mother nature’s state of affairs. This is a bit difficult because the very nature of web design is completely digital and paper free. I mean when was the last time any web designer analyzed his workflow’s carbon footprint? There’s very little that comes to mind in terms of developing greener habits in this profession. As a web designer I can’t really waste less ink, or make less photocopies, or print less emails. I hardly ever use these archaic devices! (What is a fax?! ) Even my handwriting skills have been deteriorating consistently since my keyboard took over. So very little paper comes across my desk in work related activities, except for sketching of course.

But is web design really earth friendly? Maybe if we dig a little deeper we can find some places where we can improve our ecological quotient as web designers and developers. Here are six ideas to start your mind on a greener path.

1. Turn off the computer when the day’s work is done

This is a quick and simple way to conserve energy that anyone can apply, but most people don’t really do it thinking that the energy savings is miniscule. Well, if you consider all the days the computer is on, even in sleep mode you start to get a snowball effect in kilowatt usage. And multiply this effect by thousands of computers on the grid and you accumulate a hefty number. It’s really easy to flick the switch folks.

2. Go Paperless

This one goes without saying. If you haven’t done so already, instead of printing and mailing information use PDF and other digital formats for all business related documents. Not only are you saving trees but it’s also a huge convenience. Emailing documents like proposals and invoices saves time, money, and mother earth. And there are a few handy invoicing services online, and more are sure to come. I recommend Freshbooks or Blinksale for invoicing and billing.

3. Recycle old technology

Since in this profession we’re all one part geek (or super geek, depending on your area of focus) we have an addiction to gadgets and the latest technology. I know most people simply throw away their old mobile phones or old computer equipment. If you do this you need to stop and take it to a recycling facility. Every major computer and electronics manufacturer has a recycling program. For example, Samsung recently came up with an eCycling solution to recycle used mobile devices. Just send the old mobile phones their way and they’ll take care of the rest. They even pay for shipping. You can learn more by visiting the manufacturer’s website or calling their customer service department.

4. Ride a bike to work or use mass transit

If you’re lucky enough to live in a city with a solid public transportation system like New York, take the metro or bus, don’t drive. If you’re even luckier and you live in a city with a warm microclimate, bike to work. And if you really hit the jackpot you won’t even need to commute that far to get to work. Just work from your home office and make the earth proud.

5. Get rid of CRT monitors

Cathode ray tube monitors consume three to five times as much energy as their LCD counterparts, and worse off, they’re detrimental for your eyes. So if you’re one of the few people who still own this puppy, get rid of it by recycling. Isn’t it about time to upgrade?

And as a final note, if you want to score big with the environment, bring a plant to work. Besides advancing green life on earth plants are good for your health. And studies have shown that they have a positive effect on mood and shield you from electromagnetic radiation transmitted in the environment. So besides being pretty things and oxygenating your workspace, they also save your life. And practicing some feng shui couldn’t hurt either.  What’s your green strategy?