Flickr: ClydeHouse

When it comes to most things we use on a daily basis, people are wising up to what makes a good, environmentally-friendly, product. We know which fruits are organic, which cars get better mileage, and which toys were shipped halfway around the world to reach the store shelves. In this uber-technological era we find ourselves immersed in, however, it is important to know what (if anything) makes a technological gadget green.

While this is still a pretty grey area, there is some hope for those of us clueless about green gadgets; a lot of it depends on how the device is used, not just how it is made. There are many opportunities to reduce the environmental impact of a device at different stages of its life; during production, use, and disposal. The latter two mean that individual consumers have a great opportunity to reduce the impact of their beloved devices.

One of the best ways to make your devices more environmentally-sound is to take them “off the grid” – that is, to find alternative ways to power them than the traditional wall socket. Thanks to a recent boom in user-friendly solar powering devices, consumers have plenty of options. Solar powered chargers come in all different shapes and sizes (and prices), which means the right one for you is out there.

Wind-powered devices, though not as popular, are also available for consumers looking to take their gadgets off the grid. Both solar and wind powered chargers work in the same way (besides the obvious difference in energy sources). These small devices collect energy, and convert it into a usable form for a variety of cell phones, MP3 players, digital cameras, and other gadgets. The correct adapter is required for each device, but most chargers come with them.

While handheld solar and wind powered devices are a great concept, there is some debate as to their effectiveness. Some argue that if the devices aren’t used often enough, the energy saved by their use is not enough to offset the energy that was used to produce and transport them in the first place. For people who are seriously looking to reduce their energy consumption, however, such chargers are a great option. For those who might not be inclined to use such a device regularly, however, many power companies offer alternative sources for the energy that is used in your home. Call your power company and see if they offer the option of using wind energy in your home.

By Elizabeth Wolfe