Today's Earth Day, and here's what Microsoft has been doing to keep green

Earth Day is upon us and many in the world use this date as a reason to analyze how they're impacting the environment, be it positive or negative.
The most powerful tool in the arsenal of scientists and those who wish to preserve the planet and slow down the rate of human-made destruction is education. No one "big change" can be enforced to solve all our problems, but with everyone doing a little thing here and there makes a difference.
But how can one do a little learning and get started in living a slightly more green life? As well as checking out the official Earth Day website for resources and materials, we've compiled some suggestions for you to go through.
Go green with Microsoft
Teaming up with Microsoft to color oneself a darker shade of green isn't difficult as there are a number of options available to consumers. Firstly, you can switch to digital downloads for software, apps, and games, reducing your travel footprint to pick up, or receive delivered physical copies.
Microsoft lent their support to Growing Underground last year, a green initiative to turn abandoned underground spaces into viable farming facilities.
The Windows Store on the company's desktop OS has a large catalog available, but if you can't find what you're looking for there's a massive online world to venture into. Cutting down on plastic and other materials can help.
Once you're done with older technology or devices that simply aren't fit for purpose anymore, you can simply throw them away after wiping the storage, but you could go one green stage further and trade them in. Whether you have a laptop, tablet, phone, or gaming console, Microsoft will offer rewards through the company's trade-in program. If the product isn't eligible for a reward, Microsoft will ensure it's wiped and recycle it for you. All you have to do is take the device(s) to your local store.
How Microsoft can help you (opens in new tab)
What is Microsoft doing to help?
Beyond recycling your goods, Microsoft are heavily involved in various green initiatives. Here's just a few articles worth taking a look at, if you're feeling the green!
- Microsoft Expands Support for The Nature Conservancy for Earth Day (opens in new tab)
- Microsoft and Interconnection partner for an Earth Day recycling event in Redmond
- Microsoft: Carbon Neutral since 2012 (opens in new tab)
- Microsoft's Green Blog (opens in new tab)
Handy household tips
Here are some handy tips one can use to make their household a little greener without negatively impacting their way of life:
- Recycle everything that can be taken in by local companies/authorities.
- Turn off the lights when you don't require them.
- Shut down electronics (or put them to sleep) when not in use.
- Maintain a lower temperature when not at home with a smart thermostat.
- Walk, cycle or take public transport to save adding more pollution.
- Reduce the amount of meat you eat.
Your Earth Day
What will you be doing this weekend to help make a small, but significant change? We'd like to learn about any events or unique solutions you'll employ so be sure to sound off in the comments!
Windows Central Newsletter
Get the best of Windows Central in your inbox, every day!
Rich Edmonds was formerly a Senior Editor of PC hardware at Windows Central, covering everything related to PC components and NAS. He's been involved in technology for more than a decade and knows a thing or two about the magic inside a PC chassis. You can follow him on Twitter at @RichEdmonds.
-
Satya Nadella is gonna recycle Windows Phones next. /s
-
Maybe that's why Windows Central showed Windows Phones pictures instead of old PCs.......
-
Obviously. Because even they are fed up of this crap. Waiting for W10 on ARM. Will know then, for sure what's gonna happen. But it's gonna be cool!
-
You got upvoted in the first comment you made which is negative, then you get down voted in the comment where you are positive. And people don't think there are people trying to affect people to leave the platform?
-
The first one was sarcasm, hence the "/s".
-
Huh, far from that. I used to recommend all my friends and family to get a Lumia and now its trouble and more trouble. People have issues with it but what should I tell them? That MSFT doesn't support their devices anymore? That you made a wrong choice because of me?
-
I saw the Windows XP wallpaper
-
Microsoft Green Blog posts about the company's environmental efforts.
https://blogs.microsoft.com/green/ -
Nice ad.
-
INDEED!! ☺
-
They've also been lowering their environmental impact by consistently selling and manufacturing less Windows phones. Lol /s
-
Actually NOKIA started this with reducing lead content in phones and finally completely removing Lead from phones in the mid 2000's.
-
Ah... that classic Windows XP wallpaper.
-
Yep, oldie but goody
-
LED bulbs
-
What will I be doing? Taking a hot shower, cooking up some awesome eggs and then cruising arounding in my Camaro SS. Thank you, fossil fuels.
-
Meanwhile, the torque in electrical engines will runn eights around you.
-
Tesla?
-
The look on the faces of gearheads who get "smoked" by the Model S on the Tesla Racing Channel on YouTube is priceless.
-
No freelance apps on w10m f pls leave this company nadallay
-
In honor of the whiners in the streets, I took two showers. Drove around for fun. Filled up my gas tank. Left some lights on while I wasn't home
-
So how does it feel to be Gaston?
-
Global warming is a myth. The idiots that believe it also believe in unicorns LOL
-
That doesn't mean we shouldn't make changes. Smog isn't a natural occurance, neither is the trash all over the place
-
It's NOT a myth. You'll know if you live close to the ocean or glaciers.
-
No, we just believe in the scientific method, not politics.
-
I saw an interesting image today actually and it's posed as a question. If almost every bridge engineer told you a bridge was going to collapse, would you drive over it?
-
"Global warming is a myth. The idiots that believe it also believe in unicorns LOL" Scientifics agains alternative Facts!!!!
-
Funny, it always seems like the people who believe over 7 billion humans, the most destructive (and annoying) species, have no effect on our planet's health, are the same people who believe 40 days of rain would flood that planet.
-
Spot the libtards 😆
-
Contards. Stupid labels are fun!
-
Just planted 2 plants at home and didn't know it was earth day... #happyearthday
-
I think Earth Day is a piece of crap, every day should be Earth Day.
-
Humans are designed in such a way that they cannot care for more than a certain amount all the time. If they try they become even more careless. So the solution is to ask something extraordinary of them every once in a while and thusly they will feel appreciated much more rather than feeling like it is part of a daily life and a chore. This is a great start :)