We live in a world that loves its computers. But we also need to be aware that most of the digital products we depend on are not so good for the environment. Computers, screens and laptops suck a lot of energy, and sometimes contain toxic materials. To learn how to choose products that are the most environmentally sound, here’s a web site that can help:

Meet the Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool, or Epeat for short. The site rates computers, computer screens and laptops on a series of environmental criteria, and gives each a rating.

A program of the Green Electronics Council (GEC) that’s funded by EPA, the web site is aimed at those who buy electronics products in bulk for institutions and other mass users. But don’t let that dissuade you from using it; Epeat has plenty to offer single purchase consumers, too.

Using standards developed by GEC, Epeat rates electronic products on a series of required and optional (think “extra credit”) criteria that include such things as energy used, elimination of toxin-free components, ability to be recycled, and lifespan. Depending on how well they do, qualifying products earn either bronze, silver, or gold designations.

Using the site is simple. From the home page, select your product and rating category, and you’ll be taken to a page listing those product types that earned that rating. Click on individual products and you can see their exact ratings across all the individual rating categories. It’s a simple tool each of us can use to select tech products that will at least do a marginal job of protecting the environment during their manufacture, use, and disposal.

To get your sustainable e-groove on, travel the wires to www.epeat.net