An Environmental Guide To Sustainable Smartphones

Smartphone companies come up with new mobile phones on a regular basis. These new models may have several upgrades, such as a faster processor, a higher-resolution camera and quick-charging capabilities.

Understandably, incremental upgrades are what keeps these businesses profitable, but on the downside, following the trend can lead to a negative impact on our environment. Byproducts, including e-waste is a significant cause for concern as more and more mobiles get thrown out in favour of new ones.

What can we do as consumers to create a sustainable smartphone environment? First, we have to stop throwing our old tech into waste bins. Then, we should have them harvested for parts, reused or recycled.

Here are a few more sustainable options on how you can strike a balance between being a responsible consumer and still experience the joy that comes with a new phone.

Consider Having It Repaired

The first thing that comes to mind when your phone dies or gets dropped is to get a brand new one.

It’s easy to rationalise upgrading to the latest model and putting the old one in the drawer. You could say that you don’t have the time to wait for your broken smartphone to be repaired. But technology has evolved that you won’t need a loaner phone. Plus, it only costs a few dollars compared to hundreds when buying a new unit.

Go Green

Stop spending on ‘one and done’ phones that become an expensive paperweight when one component breaks down. Today, there are companies that build products with sustainability in mind, including ones that have parts readily available and devices that can be easily repaired.

You can bet that brands that promote a green movement will have less or zero toxic elements in their products. When it’s time to dispose of your old tech, they will be able to collect it and harvest for parts for new ones.

If you’re getting a new smartphone in a carrier deal, choose the 3-year contract so you get maximum savings and won’t need to upgrade to a new phone each year.

Got any electronics you’re not using? Don’t throw it in the bin. Make some extra cash by selling old iPhones, iPads, laptops, and game consoles on recycling sites like Plunc.

Extend Your Mobile’s Life

The phone you have now is capable of working two, four or even six years with proper care and protection. The longer you put off upgrading, the better it is for the environment.

1. Regular Updates. Phone manufacturers often release software updates to improve performance and fix security and hardware issues. This can be done by going to Settings, then choosing ‘Software’ and ‘Check for Updates’
2. Don’t Leave Your Phone Plugged in Too Long. It’s great to have a fully-charged battery when you wake up in the morning, but this practice will quickly shorten your mobile phone’s lifespan.
3. Prevent Burn-Ins. Your display is one of the most important things in your phone. You can take care of it by setting a timeout duration, choosing a darker theme and turning down the brightness. OLEDs are particularly susceptible to this kind of damage.
4. Wrap Your Phone in a Case. Protect your investment by covering it with a case and a screen protector. Now, everyday bumps, scratches and drops become less heart-stopping, and you’ll be able to keep your smartphone’s new-like condition for longer.
5. Unplug Once in a While. Pick a day where you can shut off your phone and not use any electronic devices. A tech detox can be an excellent stress-buster and give you time to relax and catch up with friends and family. Carbon emissions depend on how many daily users are using the app.

Go Renewed

Refurbished smartphones offer the consumer a cheaper way to upgrade, and smartphone companies can recoup the costs of production. It’s a win-win situation that’s also great for the environment.

‘Refurbished’ doesn’t mean that a model is an inferior product. It means that the unit may be owned before, returned due to buyer’s change of mind or has been repaired by a technician. Some manufacturers make sure that these products work and look like new before returning them to the shelves. More importantly, these phones usually come with warranties and are thoroughly checked to meet consumer standards.

The next time you’re looking to upgrade, ask if they have renewed versions. You reduce your carbon footprint and save the world in the process.

We’re heading in the right direction when it comes to sustainability and making it better for the next generation. The longer you can hold on to your current smartphone and make full use of its natural cycle, the less carbon footprint you’ll produce. When considering upgrading because your mobile doesn’t function or has a cracked screen, consider repairs and replacing with parts first.

Disclaimer : This was a collaborative post.