Technology connects us to the world at large. We vote with our money, but what about with our choices? What baggage do your digital habits bring with them?

Your digital carbon footprint is a culmination of everything that you support with your actions. There are strings attached to everything at your fingertips online. When everybody pulls at once, mountains move. Even a tiny action can have a positive impact on your carbon footprint. and the world.

What Is a Digital Carbon Footprint?

Celebrating Earth Day 2021 in style doesn't mean giving up your favorite things.

A carbon footprint, in its original definition, is a measure of the carbon emissions that one’s activities impose on the world: the fuel that you use while commuting to work, the energy that your washing machine needs to clean your clothes, the methane from the cows that you eat regularly.

The digital carbon footprint takes this concept one step further, applying it more broadly to include the resources consumed by the tech companies that you patronize, as opposed to only the ones that you expend first-hand.

It widens the scope of responsibility, showing that, in want of a more sustainable world, it truly does take two to tango. The giants above must reign themselves in for the sake of us, the little people, who, in turn, must reject short-sightedness on a larger scale.

How Can I Reduce My Digital Footprint?

When the decisions that matter in the grand scheme of things are neither ours to make nor readily visible to the average consumer, we begin at ground zero with the baseline facts.

What makes a tech company sustainable and altruistic? The production and transportation of goods, the energy needed to keep systems operational, and even the cultural impact of a company contribute to their bottom line. Emissions or other forms of pollution will make up the bulk of the environmental impact that a company makes.

1. Choose Your Company Wisely

Google building city

A larger company, naturally, will produce more widely-felt consequences in this regard, even if only by sheer volume.

Try this alternative: reduce when you can. If all else fails, choose a smaller and more ethical tech company. Some great examples are Ecosia and OceanHero.

These efforts can be indirect, as well---huge companies like Microsoft are transitioning a large number of their employees to a home office setting, putting fuel economy and the resources that commercial spaces require right back into the bank.

Related: Reasons to Use Ecosia Instead of Other Search Engines

2. Go Zero-Waste, or Get as Close as You Can

We need a computer to work; we need a cell phone to stay in touch with those that we care about. Beyond these basic functionalities, the rest is all gravy.

If there is some way to salvage a broken piece of gear, why replace it entirely? Youtube is full of tutorials on how to fix your equipment. Tech-sharing services exist for those in need of a short-term contract with a piece of equipment. Many startups specialize in this space now.

BorrowLenses being one great service avid photographers can take advantage of. Sites like Spinlister help you borrow bikes while Streetbank will help you share anything with your neighbors.

Instead of throwing away stuff at the first hint of a fault, try out community repair events that help you meet fellow enthusiasts to collaborate. You can even learn simple DIY repairs yourself from sites like YouTube and more complicated ones from iFixit.

TL;DR? The first step is to put down your wallet for a moment. When we buy new things constantly, we do so insensitively, and without even really being gratified by them after so long. What do we actually need next? There’s a good chance that you do not, in fact, need a third Apple watch. The two that you already have work perfectly fine.

3. Recycle Hazardous Waste Responsibly

Recycle batteries environment

Batteries and toner cartridges should not be mixed in with ordinary refuse. They taint the land and the water, reaching us through the soil even after being compactified so many times over in a landfill.

Finding a place to recycle is easy. Finding alternate uses for an appliance or device is a great way to reduce waste. For instance, apps like WardenCam help you turn your old phone into a security camera for your home.

Related: Earth Day Electronics Recycling Projects for DIY Beginners

4. Use a Laptop Instead of a Desktop

Laptops are more energy-efficient than desktops. They can also run for a longer time on battery power. The U.S. Government also recommends ENERGY STAR-labeled computers that use 30%-65% less energy than computers without the label.

Don't forget to switch off the devices when not in use for reducing the heat load on your house and energy costs.

5. Saving at Home (It’s the Little Things)

Have you ever had your father tell you to unplug the computer if you’re not using it? Old-school, sure, but one of the most effective ways of cutting your draw off at the cord.

Other reminders, such as turning down the brightness of your screen, using the sleep mode, and making full use of your hardware’s power-saving capabilities, will not only cut down on your electricity bill but will also earn you just a bit more mileage on your gear.

Phantom electricity, or standby power, is one hidden source of electrical waste in the home. Appliances that are always on, such as electronic washing machines, have the potential to increase your electricity bill by 33%, according to one University of Oregon study (PDF).

This one is simple. Turning down the thermostat or using an automatic thermostat means that your home saves a lot of energy. Wear it like a badge of honor.

6. When All Else Fails, Buy Carbon Offsets

Support wind solar

While we will never advocate the practice of throwing money at a problem that could easily be solved otherwise, in an economic sense, the fact that money talks cannot be denied.

If you’ve got the firepower to really make a difference, companies that provide clean energy sell “tokens” of renewable energy. You donate, and they repurpose the money spent to support their positive mission. CNBC reported that Tesla earned a place on the S&P 500 by selling such credits to users.

While this does not necessarily undo any nefarious activity being conducted independently of this aim on your end of things, objectively, it does give the guys on the right side of the coin the leg up that they deserve. We’ll call that a win.

Plant a Tiny Footprint in the World of Tech

The time for a cultural shift to a more personally accountable future has come, and not a moment too soon. You can get the ball rolling by calculating your digital carbon footprint and adjusting where necessary.

Owning up to our contribution to the world, both positive and negative, empowers the consumer to disrupt the status quo and build the foundation for a future that marginalizes nobody. The good news is, doing your part has never been easier.