If you have a screen saver set up on your computer, it automatically shuts off after a specificied number of minutes–yours might be set at ten minutes, three minutes or even one minute. But chances are, there’s still a lot of time that your screen is on using energy and you’re not even looking at it. That’s where PecoBOO comes in.

The software works with your webcam and uses face detection technology to determine whether or not you’re actually looking at your screen. So when you look away from your screen for more than a few seconds, it’ll turn off, saving energy by reducing backlight use. When you look back to your computer, it’ll turn on, no fidgeting with the mouse required. The program is one great way to green your computer. Besides the obvious eco-friendly plus of saving energy, you’ll boost your battery life, too.

PecoBOO was developed by Brit Pete Hopton, a self-proclaimed eco geek. His program only works on Windows Vista and XP platforms, so Mac users are out of luck for now, but similar programs may be developed in the future. Other similar technology already exists. The iPhone for example, knows when you put the phone to your ear and at that time, disables the touchscreen.

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According to the Environmental Protection Agency, Americans buy 3 billion batteries on average each year for radios, cell phones, watches, toys, laptop computers and portable power tools. And if you think you’re doing good for the Earth by buying rechargeable batteries, you’re right, but they’re still not the perfect solution. Of course, with rechargeable batteries you’re reducing landfill waste in comparison to traditional batteries, but rechargeable or not, batteries are a bundle of of toxic chemicals. Depending on the type of battery, inside you’ll find a mix of bad stuff including alkaline, mercury, lead acid, nickel cadmium and nickel metal hydride. So batteries have the potential to add lead and acid to the environment and water supply, they can pollute lakes and streams as these toxins vaporize during trash burning and they can contribute to the heavy metals that leach from landfills.

That’s why Fuji created a new environmentally friendly battery, the Fuji EnviroMAX. Available in both super alkaline and digital alkaline varieties, these batteries are free of mercury, cadmium and other toxic heavy metals. Unlike traditional batteries, when these are tossed in the garbage, they won’t leach harmful chemicals as they biodegrade in the landfill. Click here to read more

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