This blog post is part of the series Sustainable Digital Habits.

As our lives and work increasingly move online, it becomes crucial to approach the internet with the same sustainable and mindful practices we apply to other aspects of life. While the environmental impact of vast data servers and the accumulation of outdated digital information often goes unnoticed, it has tangible consequences. Every action counts — and collectively, we can foster healthier digital habits that benefit both our well-being and the planet.

This series explores key strategies to enhance your online work experience while reducing your environmental footprint and supporting mental clarity.

According to Gerry McGovern (Digital is garbage)

• 90% of data is never accessed again after 90 days.
• 80% of downloaded apps are abandoned within 90 days.
• 90% of all existing data was created in just the past two years.

By understanding and addressing these patterns, we can build a more efficient, sustainable, and conscious digital environment

Your website has a carbon footprint. Every time someone visits, it uses energy. Every time someone clicks something, it uses energy. Get what I’m sayin’? Choosing green hosting servers helps reduce this impact. It’s a simple way to align your business with sustainability.

Here’s how to make the switch.

Green hosting means using web servers powered by renewable energy. It’s a website that is better for the environment by reducing its environmental impact. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), “Globally, data centre energy consumption in 2022 was 240-340 terawatt hours (TWh), which is around 1-1.3% of total electricity demand.” Now you don’t need to understand what a terawatt is, but you do need to understand that these data centres electricity demand is often met by burning fossil fuels, a huge contributor to greenhouse gas emissions.

• Traditional data centres use massive amounts of energy.
• Green hosting reduces carbon emissions.
• It demonstrates to investors and clients your concern for sustainability.

Use The Green Web Foundation’s tool to check if your current provider is truly green. Just enter your website’s URL and get an instant result.

Look for:

• 100% renewable energy sources
• Certifications like Green-e, RECs, or carbon-neutral commitments
•  Energy-efficient servers and cooling systems

Some well-known green hosts include (but are dependent on your country and providers):

• GreenGeeks
• Kualo
• Eco Web Hosting

Even with green hosting, an energy-heavy website isn’t sustainable. Improve efficiency by:

• Compressing images
• Using a lightweight theme
• Reducing unnecessary scripts and plugins

See our Sustainable Website blog for more information regarding more ways to improve your website by making it more sustainable!

Green hosting is an easy win for sustainability. It keeps your internet presence strong while reducing the environmental impact of your company. Check your current host, make the switch if needed, and optimise your website for a greener future.