Whether you use a landline or a mobile phone (or both), did you know that there are more green ethical companies out there, to switch to? Here are some of the best, and it’s pretty easy to switch. Of course what’s good is not to spend life glued with your ear to the phone anyway. But for when you use it, here are some wonderful choices. The more of us that switch, the better!
Ecotalk was founded by the founder of Ecotricity (green electricity) who also owns England’s first vegan football club. He has teamed up with RSPB to create a phone company that helps wildlife, for each call you make. It has a great EE network coverage and some of the lowest tariffs, with money from your bill helping nature. And you can keep your number too, if wished. With 3 simple deals, you can let them now if you’re still under contract, and they’ll contact you, nearer the time to switch.
Already the company has bought 40 acres of land at Lynch Knoll (Gloucestershire) and also helped the RSPB to secure Fairburn Tips (Yorkshire) and are working with them to buy Horse Common in Hampshire’s New Forest. These areas are being rewilded back to ancient woodland – over 20,000 trees have been planted allowing animals to thrive including deer, badgers, foxes, mice, voles, kestrels, bees and other pollinators. One former coal mining facility has been restored to create grassland, woodland and lagoons. From barn owls to common toads and buzzards, your phone bill helps to restore our native woodpeckers to butterflies.
GiffGaff is a people-owned mobile phone company that offers the best plans monthly, even if you pay less (cancel anytime). With simple contracts, you can also sell your phone and buy refurbished phones, and earn payback points to exchange for money, airtime credit or charity donations. Run on the O2 network, you can keep your number (get a code in 60 seconds). The company is named after a Scottish phrase for mutual giving, which inspires their monthly plans (goodybags) that are packed with data). Or buy pay-as-you-go credit that covers things like international calls.
Honest Mobile is a new kind of company that offers 5g coverage and you can keep your number (you can also switch from your present contract, although you may have to pay a termination fee). Fed up of the mobile phone industry overcharging customers an estimated £182m a year, this company sends real-time notifications when you make a chargeable call, and also helps you to find a free version of the number (and offers free 101 numbers). Trees are planted to make this a carbon negative company and it also offers business plans, loyalty discounts and services to keep children safe on the phone.
Better Options for Landlines
If you use a traditional landline, BT is likely still the best bet, and has simplified charges in recent years, due to losing profit from most people using mobile phones. You get caller blocks included, and there are three simple plans (pay-as-you-go up to unlimited calls, with an add-on option for those who make international calls). BT Home Essentials is a low-cost service for both phone and broadband for people on benefits, you’ll need your national insurance number when you call, so they can see if you’re eligible.
If you can’t read (including being blind) or can’t hold a phone book due to illness or disability, you can register for 195 to get access to free directory enquiries. Registered BT users also won’t pay the 1471 (last number called) or 1571 (call return) fees, charged to other customers. Just call the registration team for an application form. You can also get priority repair service.
How to Stop Junk Mail Telephone Calls
Sign up to the Telephone Preference Service, to stop junk marketing calls. It’s free to sign up for both landline and mobile numbers, and you can also use the site to submit complaints about unwanted marketing calls. Also see how to switch to a greener phone company.
Stop Junk Mail has information on how to refuse the phone book, which is still delivered to millions of homes, mostly unnecessary in the age of internet. The site has contact details to opt out of both BT Phone Book and Yellow Pages. Just recycle old books with your household paper waste.
Cloud Phone Systems for Business
Cloud Phone Systems is a new kind of service for businesses with no contracts, and a single flat rate of £10 per month (includes a 5000 minute bundle to most numbers and unlimited inbound calls, more than enough to cover most needs). It uses the cloud system so works via the Internet, meaning you can get rid of most of your landlines, to simplify your bills. There are no hidden charges and free support from a Staffordshire team. You can then cancel all your phone lines (apart from the one that runs your Internet connection, often the fax line). The mobile app only works with a stable quality Internet connection, and cannot roam like a mobile phone (they recommend using the PC/Mac App, when in a fixed office location).
Adopt a Local Red Telephone Box!
The Phone Box by Chris Williamson for Green Pebble
Many people still use landline phones (instead of or in addition to mobile networks). OFCOM has recently said it will block BT from closing 5000 phone boxes in areas with a poor mobile signal. A third of us still make use of BT’s 67,000 phone boxes now and then, and many people without access to other phones, rely on them to make calls. There are also 5000 disused phone boxes waiting to be adopted by local communities. It costs £1 to do, then you can use them for any purpose you like – examples are installing defribillators for emergency use, or creating miniature galleries, to support local artists.
