Most people these days own some kind of smartphone, but this is an industry rife with waste. Note there’s no guarantee due to the liquid crystal display (like laptops) that any phone is vegan.
But you can choose brands that are made from recycled plastic and are repairable (not glued in so you have to send them off to be repaired).
The recent Right to Repair Act excludes phones and laptops, which rather defeats the object. Apple threw its toys out of the pram and eventually conceded, but now sells an expensive DIY repair kit, which is not really much better.
The alternative of course is to buy a used smartphone, rather than buy new (or go without – Ed Sheeran does, he hasn’t owned a phone for years, saying it made him sad and stressed!)
Understanding Eco-Friendly Smartphones
The more sustainable smartphones use recycled plastics and conflict-free materials (to ensure mining practices don’t support violence or exploitation). Another thing to look for is sustainable packaging, not everything wrapped in plastic. Better smartphones also have more energy efficiency, with long-lasting batteries for less charging, and of course are easy to repair.
Sustainability Beyond the Purchase
Choose brands that are easy to repair, either by yourself or for a small fee to send off. Not ones that lock in high repair prices, only let that manufacturer repair the phone, or make you buy a new phone within a short amount of time. And also ensure the company has free and easy recycling programs, to ensure more phones don’t end up in landfills.
More Sustainable Smartphone Brands
Fairphone 5 is made with conflict-free recycled materials and easy to repair. Keep Club gives rewards, the longer you keep your existing phone. You can also recycle your old phone, to redeem credit against new ones, and climate-conscious headphones are made from 80% recycled plastic and 100% recycled aluminium, in a folding design that you can repair yourself. Made with a living wage, these are built to last and they recycle the same amount of electronic waste, for each pair bought.
Teracube 2e. While big tech companies glue phones shut and force customers into expensive in-house repairs and unnecessary upgrades, this phone has a 4-year premium care warranty, and is easy to repair. Made with 25% recycled polycarbonate, it has a replaceable battery with full HD+ display and dual rear cameras and a front-facing camera. You also get a pre-fitted screen protector, charging cable and biodegradable case, sent in minimal recycled packaging.
TeraCube Thrive is a safe smartphone for children (child psychologists suggest age 11 is minimum age). This sets time limits with built-in location tracking and also blocks unsafe searches (and unapproved callers). Bark is an app that keeps children safe online, yet still respects privacy (it has prevented countless incidents of bullying and at least two school shootings).
giffgaff is a people-owned company that sells refurbished phones. The phones carry a 12-month warranty and you get free next-day delivery with 80% battery health. Search by brand and trade in your own old phone to help pay for the cost.
Doro 8100 is not an eco phone, but a ‘smartphone for seniors’ and anyone fed up with the constant designer one-upmanship in the mobile phone industry. Most of us like to have a phone, if only for emergencies. This one has all you need (including an emergency assistance key) but no more.
High-Quality Mini Smart Phones
NanoPhone is a new kind of smartphone. It offers all the things you need in a smart phone, but none of the fussy extras, and costs around £50 compared to silly prices, for other smartphones.
The phone operates on Android and includes a SIM card, a SIM card removal pin, 16GB storage, a cable charger, a clear phone case and a screen protector.
It’s made in China and smaller than a credit card, but many people are saying this has all the options, without any of the extra add-ons and costs that are not needed.
As the main player brands get bigger and bigger, this can still give crystal clear calls, download apps and take pictures, which ultimately is all you need in a phone.