Invisible waste, a real problem: it's time for digital cleanup

U subotu, 21. ožujka održava se Digital Cleanup Day.

In an era where we spend a large part of our daily lives online, we rarely think about the fact that the digital world also creates waste: photos we never look at, hundreds of unread emails, old files stored in the “cloud”, applications we no longer use… all of this constitutes digital waste. Although we don’t see it as physical waste, its impact on the environment is still very real. Namely, all digital files are stored in large data centers on servers that consume significant amounts of electricity for operation and cooling. The more data we store, the greater the need for energy. It is estimated that the digital sector already accounts for several percent of global greenhouse gas emissions, which is comparable to emissions from air traffic. This is precisely why our digital habits have become part of the broader story of sustainable development.

One way we can raise awareness about digital waste and reduce it is the international initiative, Digital Cleanup Day, which this year is celebrated on Saturday, March 21. The goal of this action is simple: we need to take some time to "clean up" our digital space, that is, remove unnecessary files. In this way, we can reduce the amount of data permanently stored on servers, and thus indirectly reduce energy consumption.

Participating in a digital cleanup can be simple , while the impact can be significant. Here are a few steps anyone can take:

• Delete old and duplicate photos and videos,
• Empty your junk and old email folders,
• Remove apps that are no longer used,
• Clean your computer or "cloud" of old documents and files,
• Unsubscribe from newsletters we don't read.

In addition to helping the environment, digital purging also brings personal benefits: fewer files mean more lucid data, faster information searches, and more space for the content we really need, while also encouraging us to develop more responsible digital habits – in the same way as we think about reducing, reusing, and recycling items in the physical world.

Protected areas like the Krka National Park remind us of how valuable and fragile nature is. Sustainable development is not only about preserving landscapes, water courses, and biodiversity, but also about our everyday choices, including those we make in front of screens.

That's why, on the occasion of Digital Cleanup Day, we invite you to take a few minutes on March 21st to do a little cleanup on your digital devices. One small click won't change the world, but millions of such clicks can make a big difference.