We’ve living in the most technologically dependent period of human history: your phone is rarely for calls, you get notifications straight to our wrist, and you can even watch TikToks on your smart fridge. All that highlights the core problem: modern technology has a way of reaching into every corner of our lives, and it makes it so easy to develop bad habits. The good news is that we can change that. So lets look at some practical ways we can instead build green tech habits.
1. Disconnect
To start making changes, the most frequently recommended first step is self-improvement. In the tech world, it’s especially important considering the the number, volume and availability of distractions and temptations we face every day. Many of us don’t realise it’s not just our devices that are always buzzing, but us too.
One must learn to care for oneself first, so that one can then dare to care for someone else. – Maya Angelou
And in a tech-driven world, a great way to disconnect is to reset your digital life. What that looks like will be different for different people, but the crux is to break the cycle. And not just once; taking a periodic time-out from technology can prompt you to re-evaluate your relationship with it on a regular basis. It can give your mind exposure to a different kind of living — one where technology doesn’t dominate — and can help you adjust your perceptions of technology to uncover how little value the constant distractions actually provide you.
2. Fix Your Brain
Disconnecting is the first step to a healthier relationship with technology, but on its own, it’s not a long-term solution. Removing anything means there is space for something new, and if you’re not careful, you could replace a poor habit with a worse one. In the case of technology, you’ll likely be searching for more instant gratification.
A lot of research and resources around instant gratification suggest more-or-less the same approach: be more deliberate. It means slowing down, re-wiring your brain, and to take some time in the slow lane. Instead of just hoping for the best, you can start building more green tech habits:
- Building routines around good habits. This might be joining group activities, participating in social gatherings — the idea is to tie that habit to something else that is difficult to break.
- Take one step at a time. Going cold-turkey might work for some, but for many, an abrupt change can be too much. Take it slow, focus on being better than yesterday, and work at a pace that pushes you, but not too far.
- Manage instead of replace. Quitting entirely might not be what you’re after. If you’re instead looking for a healthier balance, considering setting up guardrails, barriers and measures that can help you reduce and self-evaluate your use. This could be setting screen-time limits or defining your goal each time you open an app.
In the tech world, it’s the difference between you using technology and technology using you.
3. Waste is Wasteful
The technology industry is notorious for waste: from planned obsolescence to limited software support and even bricking unsupported devices. Big players like Apple and Google are slowly making less wasteful products, but today, being more sustainable is largely up to us. There are three big ways to green-ify your tech habits to make a difference:
- Use tech for longer: The tech industry has a number of ways to perpetuate perceived obsolescence, and its easy to get caught up in it. Instead, take a step back, and consider whether an upgrade is meaningful to you, or whether your phone will be perfectly fine for one more year.
- Consider the after-use life of your tech. Upgrading doesn’t mean throwing away old devices. A better way is to take advantage of trade-in programs, or find a local drop-off location for old tech. The more we can use resources we’ve already extracted, the less we’ll need to mine for new ones.
- Vote with your wallet. Business isn’t naturally rewarded for doing “good”, but instead by generating revenue. So one of the strongest ways to make your voice heard is choose which companies deserve your hard-earned cash. And consider those around you to do the same, as with power comes strength.
4. The Hidden Resource Use
When evaluating the impacts of your habits on the planet, you might consider what products you buy, your transport emissions or how you handle device EOLs (end-of-life). But there’s a hidden cost that we don’t always pay for: digital services.
Everything from Google Search to Netflix or WhatsApp uses resources we’re not always aware of, and their low cost doesn’t prompt us to think. But the big kicker in 2026 is AI. It has been estimated that AI search require ~10x the energy usage compared to a regular search. With model power, AI ubiquity and the number of data centers growing, that number will be felt more and more. So how can we build more sustainable digital habits considering the tech is out of our hands?
Be More Conscious of AI Usage
AI is everywhere (and heavily subsidised until we use it). But that doesn’t stop the resource use. Knowing when you’re using AI features — and being more deliberate about choosing to not — can help reduce your own usage.
Use Services that let you Opt Out
I don’t think anybody can genuinely argue that AI is always a waste. Sometimes, it truely is the most efficient way of doing something. So a great way to advocate for more meaningful AI is to use services that let you opt-out of AI to help you be more deliberate.
Embrace Human Intelligence
Humans are really smart — especially when we come together. There is so much knowledge out there that has already been thought, written, consolidated, filmed or otherwise released, and they can often give so much more value than just the knowledge they impart. Seek out human-made stuff, and support the real people those who ultimately feed the AI beast without compensation.
Building Habits To Last
Building sustainable technology habits takes time and dedication: they aren’t something that will appear overnight, nor will they make a big impact straight away. But in an industry that prioritises moving quickly, slowing down, being more deliberate and building more green tech habits can only be a good thing.
We should be in charge or our behaviours, decisions and habits, but modern technology often tempts us toward a future without thought. One of the best things we can do for healthier digital lives — and a more prosperous world — is to be purposeful in what we do.
So why not start today? Begin with small changes and see how big the impact can be.