What Is Green IT? Why It’s Important & How Your Business Can Get Started
From managing emails to running cloud apps, your business depends on technology. But have you ever considered the environmental cost behind it? That’s where green information technology comes in as an important practice in keeping things sustainable.
Let’s explore what is meant by green IT, why it matters, and how businesses in Malaysia can start adopting green IT solutions without overhauling their entire setup.
What is green information technology and why does it matter
Green IT, also known as green ICT, is the practice of designing, using, and disposing of information technology in a way that minimises its environmental impact. It’s not just about recycling your old computers, but also about reducing energy use, extending the life of devices, and making smarter tech choices at every step of your business.
Now, green IT matters more than ever as e-waste is one of the fastest-growing waste streams globally. According to the Global E-Waste Monitor 2024, the world generated 62 million tonnes of e-waste in 2022 alone, yet only 22.3% was properly recycled. Much of this comes from discarded business tech like laptops, desktops, servers, and monitors.
To put things into perspective, manufacturing just one desktop and monitor can consume:
- 240kg of fossil fuels
- 22kg of industrial chemicals
- 1,500 litres of water
Multiply that by your entire office, and the environmental impact quickly adds up. For this reason, more companies everywhere are embracing green IT solutions—not just to meet ESG goals, but to cut costs and reduce their footprint.
Benefits of green IT for your business
While green information technology brings the planet and environment to mind, it can actually improve your business’s bottom-line performance too.
Here’s how it helps:
- Lower operational costs
Energy-efficient devices and power-saving practices can reduce electricity bills significantly, especially in offices with many devices running daily.
- Smaller carbon footprint
Using refurbished computers and laptops or renting instead of buying cuts down on manufacturing demand and emissions.
- Better asset lifespan
Green practices extend the life of your IT equipment, meaning fewer purchases and lower capital expenditure.
- Stronger brand image
Customers and stakeholders are paying more attention to corporate responsibility. Showing that you care about sustainability builds trust and reputation.
- ESG alignment
Many large organisations are now required to report ESG practices, and green IT is one of the simplest ways to start integrating sustainability into operations.
How to start going green with your IT setup
Going green with IT doesn’t require a complete overhaul. Here are some accessible ways to begin:
Choose energy-efficient devices
Look for Energy Star or EPEAT-certified equipment. These devices consume less power, generate less heat, and often last longer, making them ideal for high-usage office environments. Over time, the savings on electricity bills can add up significantly.
Extend instead of replace
Upgrade RAM, storage, and other parts where possible instead of buying new machines. Small upgrades can keep devices running smoothly and extend their value for longer.
Use refurbished computers
Opt for refurbished or remanufactured devices if they are sufficient for your needs. These devices come at a lower cost and environmental footprint; one refurbished unit means one less footprint from you for a new unit.
Rent instead of buy
Consider short-term or long-term rentals for seasonal staff or projects. Not only is it more economical, but it takes away the burden and environmental impacts of disposal when you no longer need a device.
Optimise power settings
Set up your devices to sleep or hibernate sooner when they’re left inactive. Even small changes like scheduling automatic shutdowns after hours can lead to significant energy savings, especially across dozens of devices.
Educate your team
Train your team on sustainable practices and encourage habits like turning off unused monitors, unplugging idle chargers, and limiting unnecessary printing. Small efforts like these add up over time.
What to consider when looking for green IT solutions in Malaysia
Beyond what you can do for your current setup and devices, there are also things to consider when seeking out new IT solutions. Here’s what to look for:
- Refurbished and rental options
These help reduce e-waste and carbon output while giving your business affordable, flexible access to reliable hardware.
- IT asset lifecycle management
The best vendors offer support beyond purchase, helping you upgrade, reuse, and dispose of equipment responsibly.
- Clear sustainability policies
Look for providers who are transparent about how their devices are refurbished and what happens at end-of-life.
As more businesses in Malaysia embrace sustainability, it’s important to choose IT partners who support your green goals.
Closing thoughts: Small changes, lasting impact
Green IT isn’t just a buzzword these days—it’s a smarter, more responsible way to use technology. By rethinking how you procure, use, and dispose of your tech, there’s a lot your business can gain by going green.
If you need a head start on your green IT journey, one way to begin is to adopt some refurbished computers and laptops, such as those from us at Smart Rental!
At Smart Rental, we support your sustainable IT efforts with our range of remanufactured computers, paired with flexible rentals and affordable, transparent pricing tailored for Malaysian businesses. Green ICT doesn’t have to be difficult. You can do your part by equipping your business with green IT solutions today!
FAQ
1. What are some green IT strategies?
Green IT strategies and solutions include using energy-efficient hardware, extending device lifespans through upgrades, adopting refurbished computers, enabling power-saving settings, reducing printing, and disposing of e-waste responsibly.
Many companies also implement IT asset lifecycle management to reduce unnecessary upgrades and ensure proper recycling or repurposing.
2. What are examples of green computing?
Some examples of green computing include:
- Using refurbished computers and laptops instead of buying new ones
- Switching to cloud storage to reduce physical server load
- Enabling sleep mode and auto-shutdown settings on all workstations
- Virtual meetings to reduce travel-related emissions
- Renting devices instead of buying for short-term needs
3. Is AI a green technology?
AI can be both helpful and challenging for sustainability. On one hand, AI can improve energy efficiency in data centres, optimise logistics to reduce fuel use, and automate power-saving measures.
However, training large AI models consumes significant energy. Whether AI is “green” depends on how it’s developed, deployed, and managed.