Green IT message needs to inspire consumers

Looking at the IT industry from a consumer’s point of view it’s hard to imagine it’s very environmentally friendly.

I think that when most people consider consumer technology products from vendors such as HP, Sony or Apple they think about advanced technology, cool gadgets, stylish TV ads or an international brand name. Does the average punter think ‘I’m going with the company that has the greenest and most environmentally friendly option?’

I can be an idealist along with the next person but I’m just not sure that it’s front of mind – even though it should be.

When I drink a can of Coke I’m conscious about recycling but the first aluminum can was reportedly recycled around 1920 and the ‘Cash for Cans’ program in Australia started over 20 years ago. Enticing kids and community groups to hand in cans for cash really made the scheme work. I can remember cashing in my cans as a kid.

Take mobile phones for example, I know you can turn them in via the Mobile Phone Industry Recycling Program, what a catchy name, and various community groups collect them but I have a better idea. How about the big telco’s like Telstra and Optus offer a $20 rebate off your new mobile or plan when you hand in your old one? Brilliant idea if I do say so myself.

I am ashamed to admit that I have at least five old mobile phones at the moment, but if Telstra offered me $20 each time I signed up I’m sure those mobiles would be recycled by now…

The IT industry is only just getting on the bandwagon and it’s going to take a while for the public to get behind it. The IT consumer is enticed the same way we all are … offer them a blatant cash incentive and you’ll have kids rounding up their Grandma’s old brick phones in no time.