Information Services

Hints and tips

Here are a few hints and tips for using information services more sustainably, at work or at home:

At work...

• Save energy
  • Switch off IT equipment when it is not in use – but please consult the owner of the equipment, your Local Computing Representative, or a technician first.
  • To power down a PC which is running the standard University Windows image, you can simply log out. INSRV's power-saving software will automatically power the PC down when it is logged out and not being used.  (To check the image, right click on My Computer and choose Properties - if you see an INSRV logo, then the PC has a standard University Windows image).
  • Ensure your computer screensaver is a low power one: for example, the Windows XP logo screensaver - or switch it off completely if it is not needed.
  • Set the monitor to power down when not used, if this is not already enabled.
• Save paper
  • Use duplex (double-sided) printing where available and appropriate, to save paper. For more ideas, please see our Tips for More Sustainable Printing. Within your academic school, please consult your school technician and budget holder where appropriate on printer purchase and the use of duplex printing.
  • Use Learning Central where appropriate to use and distribute lecture notes
• Reduce travel carbon
  • Use video-conferencing, Skype or telephone conferencing to communicate with colleagues instead of travelling.
  • University members can use Cardiff Portal for remote file access, electronic journals and email - reducing need for travel and document printing.
• Purchasing and recycling
  • For procedures on disposal of University IT and other WEEE (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment) please see the University's Occupational Safety, Health and Environment Unit (OSHEU) website, and the University's purchasing website, which includes advice on using the national Xchange service for staff to buy and sell redundant equipment.
  • Contact your School's Local Computing Representative or Library Representative when purchasing equipment/library resources, to avoid duplication where appropriate.
  • Before planning to install a server or server room, please contact insrvConnect - the INSRV Service Desk - or your Local Computing Representative, for advice on energy and to reduce duplication.
• Additional advice
  • Please see Cardiff University's Environmental Golden Rules for more ideas.
  • Please see the advice from the Carbon Trust on improving energy efficiency around the office.

At home...

• Save energy
  • Turn off PCs/Macs and printers/peripherals when not in use
  • Change your power management settings to ensure you use a low-power or disabled screen-saver, and that the monitor powers down when unused
  • Use a "plug-in power and energy meter" to measure how much energy is being used by different appliances. These are available for around £15 online or from DIY shops
• Save paper
  • Use duplex (double-sided) printing where possible. See our Tips for More Sustainable Printing for more ideas.
• Recycling
  • Reduce, reuse, recycle and dispose of your waste carefully - find out more information from Waste Awareness Wales.
  • Donate books to charity when you no longer need them. Recycle books, magazines and newspapers where you can rather than sending them to landfill.

We also welcome your ideas on how to use Information Services more sustainably.