Sustainable electronics are a smart choice for consumers and businesses alike. They help to protect the environment and conserve resources, making them a key part of a sustainable future.
Electronics are a significant part of our lives – they entertain us, keep us connected and make our work easier. Unfortunately, the way they are manufactured and disposed of can cause environmental problems.
That’s why sustainable electronics are so important.
They are made with an eye towards the future, using materials that are environmentally friendly and easy to recycle.
And when it’s time to dispose of them, sustainable electronics can be recycled or reused, minimizing their impact on the environment.
Supply Chains for Sustainable Electronics
Sustainable fashion, ethical goods and foods, along with other fair trade products are now widely available across the internet.
These industries have traditionally been flooded with exploitation and human rights abuses for decades.
Before the internet, consumers had no other real way of knowing about these abuses, even if they did the option of buying a more ethical alternative was non existent.
Nike, Gap, Nestle, Victoria’s Secret, Forever 21 and hundreds of other companies have all made billions off of exploiting cheap labor in the globalized marketplace.
Many large manufactures, over the last few decades, have focused more on producing products at a mass scale and very rapidly, other than focusing on transparency, human rights, and sustainable production.
This is not to say these companies are terrible or bad people(no company is perfect), just simply that their priorities are much different. All of these companies are public and adhere to shareholders and the market, which puts tons of pressure on production and profits every quarter.
The reporting on the textile and food industries violations have been widely reported over the years, but according to a 2011 report the industry most likely to violate workers rights is the electronics industry!
In another report from 2016, Amnesty International highlighted that Apple, Samsung, Microsoft are responsible for “the worst forms of child labor” and other human rights abuses in the production of its electronics.
The last frontier of social good and sustainable electronics. As consumers, we can now shop for ethical jeans, shoes, watches, shirts, jewelry, food and pretty much anything else you could buy from a traditional retail store.
However, there is still one huge gap missing for individuals who like to shop more sustainably, and that’s electronics.
This is truly the last frontier for social entrepreneurs to complete the eco-system of social impact shopping. The reason it has taken so long is that it is extremely difficult to development ethical and sustainable electronics.
Ethical supply chains are tough to create and implement. Extracting materials in an ethical way is difficult. Blending both of these things to create sustainable electronics very difficult.
Social entrepreneurs now have a real chance to step up and look at the landscape of electronic manufacturing and do things much differently.
From creating ethical supply chains, to using repurposed materials, the companies below have created an amazing alternative for conscious consumers to start buying electronics with a clear conscious.
Below are three companies that I see doing some amazing things in the sustainable electronics space. These companies are proving that its possible to create and produce high quality ethical electronic products and do it at a competitive price!
Fairphone 4, Fairphone Earbuds, and Long Cable
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Fairphone is a certified B-corp and has created the world’s first ethical smartphone. Created in 2013, Fairphone launched the movement for fairer electronics.
The company makes a positive impact across the value chain in mining, design, manufacturing and life cycle, while expanding the market for products that put ethical values first.
The company believes in sourcing conflict-free materials that support local economies, not armed militias. Fairphone works closely with manufacturers that want to invest in employee wellbeing and ethical worker practices.
The company is also addressing the full lifespan of mobile phones, including use, reuse and safe recycling programs that make it easy to recycle your Fairphone, so the parts can be re-purposed and not end up in landfills and the ocean.
Fairphone 4
Fairphone 4 is the most sustainable smartphone the company has ever produced, now with 5G speed, 5-year warranty and electronic waste neutral.
With Fairphone 4, they’re pushing to the next level of fair by introducing even more materials that are responsibly sourced and conflict-free.
The phone’s body is machined from aluminium from ASI certified vendors, with a 100% recycled plastic back cover.
Fairphone is working behind the scenes to integrate fairer cobalt and lithium into batteries and they’re the only smartphone manufacturer with Fairtrade gold in the supply chain.
Fairphone Earbuds
Fairphone True Wireless Earbuds deliver an immersive listening experience, with superior sound quality and active noise cancelling.
More importantly though, they’re designed with fair and recycled materials, a battery that outlasts your longest playlist and weather resistance for extra peace of mind.
Both the earbuds and the charging case are made with 30% recycled plastics. And as a world-first, they managed to integrate Fairtrade Gold into the supply chain.
For every pair you buy, they save their weight in electronic waste from the landfill by reusing or recycling old electronics.
Fairphone USB-C 3.2 Long Life Cable
This lifetime-lasting, multi-purpose USB-C 3.2 cable is reinforced with braided kevlar and nylon for exceptional durability and is designed to withstand the toughest industrial-grade stress tests (You can twist it over 50.000 times and it will keep on going). The strain relief is made from bio TPU and there’s a handy velcro-organizer attached.
The cable has futureproof C-to-C connectors and comes with the flexibility of a USB-C to USB-A adapter. It gives you the latest performance of supporting 3A and transfer speeds up to 10 Gbps, for example between your laptop and a portable hard drive.
Never worry about charging cables again and cut down on e-waste with the cable that’s designed for true longevity.
Nimble – Ethical Electronic Accessories
Nimble is brand new to the ethical electronics space, but they are destined for huge impact. They work only with suppliers who share their values on workers’ rights, sustainable materials and reducing environmental impact.
Nimble is committed to not only reducing their environmental impact through smarter production means and materials, but by encouraging the entire Nimble Community to help reduce the amount of e-waste ending up in the world’s landfills.
The company provides a recyclable bag inside all packaging, and offer a pre-paid mail-in label so customers can easily send old electronic devices, cell phones, cables, etc, directly to their e-waste recycling partner, Homeboy Electronics for safe, responsible reclamation!
Nimble also selects high-quality, low-impact materials, with no paint or toxic chemicals. Fully recyclable aluminum and plant-based plastics are used with no chemical adhesives and all fabric blends are made with 100% organic hemp and recycled plastic bottles.
Nimble CHAMP Portable Charger
By using high-density batteries, fewer cells and materials are needed to pack in more power than premium portable chargers twice the size.
Designed with 18W Power Delivery and QC 4.0 technology for Apple and Android fast-charge compatibility. Charge any device up to 3x faster.
Made with 72.5% post-consumer plastic to further reduce total footprint by -7.51 lbs of CO2 compared to available portable charger alternatives. Made from recycled paper. Biodegradable. Zero harmful inks or dyes.
Every product includes a recycled plastic bag so you can responsibly recycle your old tech for free, helping close the loop on electronic waste.
Nimble APOLLO Wireless Pad
Supports up to 15W of wireless power for a faster, more reliable charging experience. Includes embedded magnets for hassle-free placement with iPhone 12 models.
By creating the thinnest wireless pad possible, less resources are consumed, and fewer emissions generated through production and shipping.
Made with post-consumer plastic, silicone and alloy to further reduce total footprint by -8.76 lbs of CO2 compared to available wireless charger alternatives.
Thanks to the use of recycled silicone in our custom manufacturing process, the surface pattern of each and every APOLLO is unique.
Nimble WALLY Pro Portable Wall Charger
Plug it in. Charge a Macbook or USB-C powered laptop at full 60W speed – or split the charge between both ports for 45W & 18W fast charging.
No outlet? No problem. Includes a 10,000 mAh battery which self-charges while plugged in, so it’s never out of juice. Just take it with you. Power anything up to 30W on-the-go! Fewer things to carry means fewer things to forget.
Built with 72.5% certified recycled plastic. Shipped carbon neutral in plastic-free packaging. Includes free e-waste recycling.
WALLY Pro is designed with a lower footprint. About 8.42 lbs less CO2 compared to alternative chargers.
LSTN – Premium Audio Electronics
LSTN was founded with a singular purpose: to change lives through the power of music. Proceeds from sales of all LSTN products go towards giving hearing aids to people in need worldwide through their charity partner, Starkey Hearing Foundation.
Over the past 5 years, LSTN has helped over 30,000 people worldwide hear for the first time! This was possible due to LSTN customers purchasing the companies high quality headphones, earbuds, speakers and accessories.
MPOWERD – Portable Solar Lights
Lightweight, waterproof solar lights for everything from outdoor adventures to backyard celebrations, MPOWERD creates affordable clean energy products to make the world brighter!
Hassle free and ready for adventure, MPOWERD’s ethically-made lanterns not only provide light, but many double as bluetooth speakers and two-way chargers as well.
And MPOWERD is sharing the light with others! With a network of over 345 nonprofits in 90 countries, every purchase you make supports MPOWERD’s mission to bring light to 3 billion people globally still living without reliable electricity.
Luci Lux
Bright, warm light in the palm of your hand. Compact and durable, this solar lantern can withstand up to 150 lbs of pressure, while providing a soft light that lasts long into the night.
• Matte finish
• 65 lumens
• Warm white LEDs
• Lasts up to 24 hours on a single charge
(see details under “tech specs” below)
• Recharges in 7 hours
Perfect for home decor, events, patios, pool areas, camping, hiking, tent lighting, RV camping, and beach days.
Luci Candle
Wick-free, wax-free, flame-free. Candles have officially been reinvented. Solar-powered, long-lasting, and with a soft amber glow, Luci Candle provides all the ambiance of a candle with none of the worry.
• Mimics a candle flicker with added steady mode
• Matte finish
• 1 Amber LED
• Lasts up to 18 hours on a single charge
(see details under “tech specs” below)
• Recharges in 8 hours
Perfect for home decor, events, patios, night light, yoga, bathing, pool areas, camping, hiking, tent lighting, RV camping, and beach days.
Luci Solar String Lights
Hidden inside the expandable unit, Luci Solar String Lights pack 100 lumens into 10 nodes on an 18 ft cord. Along with mobile charging capabilities, this is the perfect way to light up your space.
• 18 ft cord in expandable unit
• Mobile charging
• 100 lumens
• Warm white LEDs
• Lasts up to 20 hours on a single charge
(see details under “tech specs” below)
• Recharge via solar panel or quick charge via USB
Perfect for home decor, events, patios, pool areas, camping, hiking, tent lighting, RV camping, and beach days.
Oakywood
Oakywood was born from the passion for extraordinary design and handmade woodcrafting traditions.
The company mission is to provide the world with exquisite, unique wooden accessories and wooden decor that is not only aesthetically pleasing, modern and original – but functional as well.
In Podhale, woodworking is a centuries-old tradition, usually passed down from father to son through decades and generations. They wanted to be a brand that was eco-friendly, modern, techy and exquisite – and so that’s what they became.
