Did you know that the average server produces the same emissions as a 15 mpg SUV?
GreenApple hosts many websites on its shared and reseller web hosting servers. That means a lot of servers, and a lot of carbon emissions. So we asked ourselves, what can we do to be part of the climate change solution? We took steps to minimize our environmental impact at the office, but still we weren't satisfied. We then switched to 36% more efficient servers, but still we weren't satisfied!

All of our shared and reseller servers are now 130% wind powered!
That's right! 130%! We're not just neutralizing our environmental impact, we're reversing it!
GreenApple host has purchased certified Renewable Energy Credits representing 130% of the electricity used to both power and cool every last one of our shared and reseller servers!

What makes GreenApple’s program so special?
If you’re thinking about switching to green hosting, good for you! Green hosting is an important step in dealing with climate change. But be aware, once you start asking some questions you’ll find that not all of the so called "green" hosting options out there are nearly as green as they claim to be. GreenApple’s program stands out from the pack for a number of reasons.

1. GreenApple is using renewable energy to both power and cool their servers, whereas a number of green hosts only offset the electricity used to power their servers. That represents a big difference, because servers generate a lot of heat. For every watt of electricity that a server uses, 1-2 watts of electricity are typically required to cool it. What that means is GreenApple is investing in about twice as much renewable energy, on a per server basis, as those green hosts only using renewable energy to power their servers.




2. GreenApple has invested in Green E-certified Renewable Energy Credits (RECs). That means that all of GreenApple’s RECs are verified, tracked and monitored. GreenApple wanted to go green the right way. GreenApple can’t very well build a windfarm in our downtown data center, so it’s doing the next best thing and greening its energy at the source with rock solid RECs coming from Texas and Montana Wind Farms.
   
   RECs, CERs and VERs - Oh My!
   RECs aren’t the only offsetting option out there, there are also Certified Emission Reductions (CERs) and Voluntary/Verified Emission Reductions (VERs). The main difference between the three is this: each REC represents 1 additional megawatt of North American wind power, whereas each CER or VER represents one metric ton of reduced or avoided carbon dioxide emissions. CERs and VERs can be generated from a whole range of projects (fuel switching, forestry, changes in industrial processes, etc.), but RECs can only be created by the production of renewable energy.
   So why do RECs make the most sense for GreenApple's web hosting? RECs enable GreenApple to green it's energy right at the source and support the development of clean power, rather than simply paying another company to not pollute.




3. GreenApple has also put in place natural resource and recycling policy plans. We recycle all staff aluminum cans, plastics and cardboard products. We also have implemented water conservation with our office and many of our telecommuter employees homes. When possible we encourage staff to ride their bicycles to work. We even have company wide bike outings, as well as work to support local bicycling initiatives in the State of Montana.




4. Finally, I should emphasize that the purchase of Renewable Energy Credits only represents GreenApple’s most recent step toward sustainability. Prior to the REC purchase, GreenApple had already begun the process of reducing their environmental impact at the office and in travel (recycling, minimizing paper use, etc.), and recently switched to higher efficiency servers and office PC's like the Apple Mac Mini's and Mac Mini Servers as well as other low energy certified servers from HP and IBM.

GreenApple has also taken another big step in purchasing Carbon Credits (CERs) from the CarbonFund to cover all personal PC and home office spaces for our telecommuting employees, which is all of our web developers / programmers - how's that for going green!
Click to see one of our GreenApple™ Telecommuter SOHO CarbonFund policies..

What can you do to minimize your impact on the climate?
Well, for one thing you can switch your online strategy partner and web hosting provider to GreenApple, if you’re not already a customer of ours!

Beyond that, there are myriad ways to go green in your personal life. Most of them are totally painless, for example turning off your computer at night, rather than leaving it in sleep mode. Many of them will save you money in the long run, for example using compact fluorescent bulbs instead of incandescents.

For a quick start, check out CarbonTracker's list of 11 simple steps you can take to minimize your impact on the climate. For even more information, the Environmental Protection Agency has a ton of info on the subject.

GreenApple is also a member of the EPA's Green Partner Program!

If your a current GreenApple web hosting customer be sure to display your eco-friendly badge, showing that your organization is earth friendly.

If you offer green business services it is especially important to show not only your business services and/or products are green, but your entire company will Think Green, Think Apple, Think GreenApple™.

Just pick the badge you wish to use, then cut and paste the code below into your website. If you need help just send us an email or submit a trouble ticket and we will be glad to do it for you FREE of charge.

Badge Option 1	Badge Option 2
130% Green Web Hosting & Design	130% Green Web Hosting & Design