Is Digital Greener than Print?

The answer to this question is convoluted. Sometimes it is best to use a digital outcome, while on other occasions, printing may be better. Considerations for choosing the right outcome depend on shipping, file sizes, materials used, vendors, etc. Server farms that host our online creations and data, can use up to 100 billion KwH of energy nationally ( Energy, Efficiency, & Technology).

The computers and other electronics utilized in the digital world also become an environmental and human health hazard at the end of their lifecycles. However, it is important to point out that this same problem exists in the print design world. We use large and small-scale printers, laptops, scanners, digital cameras, etc. that also end up in the landfill and exported for dangerous disassembly overseas. It's important when deciding between digital versus print to look at the entire system in which your piece will live and die.

Use our Sustainable Systems Thinking guide to help.

Best Practices for Greener Digital Design

Greener website, mobile application, and motion graphics projects should strive to incorporate the following guidelines into the design process. Greener digital projects should:

• Be hosted by a company that powers their facilities with renewable energy (wind, solar, hydroelectricity), or offsets its non-renewable energy use by donating directly to renewable energy projects, or by purchasing certified carbon offsets through a legitimate program (such as Green-e; see glossary).
• Include a specially formatted print-friendly option designed to minimize paper waste for every web page created (css styles make this easy).
• Be produced on Energy-Star-rated equipment (visit US EPA's Energy Star program).
• Be created by a studio that has a formal environmental policy in place, including an equipment recycling program and energy conservation plan. See Green Your Studio for more helpful tips.
• Consider including an environmental-awareness component, or message about the environmental impact of the project.