Eco-friendly mobile practices: Tips for reducing its environmental impact

In a world where staying connected is just a swipe away, it’s easy to overlook the environmental impact of our smartphones. From the resources required to manufacture them to the energy consumed during everyday use, mobile phones leave a significant carbon footprint. But here’s the good news – with a few simple changes, you can make your smartphone habits more eco-friendly and contribute to a healthier planet.

Ready to discover how small tweaks can make a big difference? Let’s go through some easy, effective tips to reduce your smartphone’s environmental impact.

What is the environmental impact of mobile phones?

Mobile phones have undoubtedly brought numerous benefits to our lives. They facilitate communication, education, healthcare and economic development. They also contribute to innovation and job creation. However, you might be surprised to learn that your smartphone has a considerable environmental impact. This is why it’s essential to strike a balance between enjoying the benefits of mobile technology and minimizing its environmental footprint. This involves making informed choices as consumers and advocating for sustainable practices in the mobile industry. But before we delve into a range of eco-friendly tips, let’s weigh the pros and cons of mobile phones.

The pros

• Efficiency and connectivity: mobile phones have revolutionized communication, making it easier to connect with others. This can reduce the need for travel, lowering carbon emissions.
• Digitalization: phones enable digital storage and communication, reducing the need for paper and other physical resources.
• Smart technology: mobiles support smart technology and apps that can help monitor and reduce energy consumption in homes and businesses.

The cons

Manufacturing and resource extraction

The journey of a mobile phone begins long before it reaches your hand. The manufacturing process involves extracting raw materials such as gold, silver and palladium, often through mining practices that can be harmful to the environment. And while these materials are essential for creating the electronic components inside our phones, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), mining these materials can lead to deforestation, soil erosion and the release of toxic chemical into water sources. Meanwhile, hazardous chemicals are often used in the manufacturing process, posing risks to both human health and the environment.

Energy consumption

The manufacturing process itself is energy-intensive, most of which comes primarily from fossil fuels and as we all know, these contribute to greenhouse gas emissions. Additionally, the operation of data centers that support mobile networks and cloud services also consumes large amounts of electricity. For example, a report by Greenpeace highlights that the IT sector, including mobile networks, could consume up to 20% of the world’s electricity by 2025 if current trends continue.

And of course, charging your phone consumes electricity and while renewable energy sources are becoming more common, the overall energy consumption of billions of smartphones is still vast.

Electronic waste

When a mobile phone reaches the end of its life, improper disposal can lead to significant environmental harm. E-waste or electronic waste, is a growing concern. The United Nations estimates that 50 million tons of e-waste are produced annually, with mobile phones making up a significant portion. These discarded devices often end up in landfills, where toxic substances like lead and mercury can leach into the soil and water, posing health risks to humans and wildlife alike.

The importance of reducing your mobile phone’s environmental footprint

From preserving our planet to saving money and building a better future, it goes without saying that reducing your device’s environmental impact is crucial for several reasons.

Protecting natural resources

By reducing the environmental impact of our mobile phones, we can help conserve natural resources. As mentioned above, mining for raw materials like gold and cobalt has significant environmental and social consequences so by extending the life of our phones and recycling old devices, we can reduce the need for new materials and mitigate these impacts.

Reducing greenhouse gas emissions

Manufacturing and operating mobile phones contribute to greenhouse gas emissions, which drive climate change. By adopting eco-friendly practices, such as using energy-efficient chargers and supporting sustainable brands, we can reduce our carbon footprint and help combat global warming. In fact, a study by the World Economic Forum highlighted that extending the lifespan of a smartphone by just one year can reduce its carbon footprint by 31%, which shows the importance of repairing and maintaining devices rather than frequently upgrading to the latest model.

Preventing pollution and health risks

We’ve already covered the fact that improper disposal of mobile phones can lead to pollution and health risks because they release of toxic substances. This is why recycling old devices ensures that these hazardous materials are properly managed and do not contaminate the environment.

Inspiring positive change

By adopting eco-friendly mobile practices, we set a positive example for others to follow. Collective action can lead to significant environmental benefits so encouraging friends and family to be mindful of their mobile phone usage can amplify the impact of individual efforts.

And don’t forget that extending your phone’s lifespan and reducing energy consumption can save you money.

Tips for reducing your mobile phone’s environmental impact

Extend the lifespan of your phone

One of the most effective ways to reduce the environmental impact of your mobile phone is to extend its lifespan. Here are some tips to help you do just that:

• Use a case and screen protector: these accessories can protect your phone from damage, reducing the need for repairs or replacements.
• Keep your software updated: regular updates can improve your phone’s performance and security, prolonging its usability.
• Battery health: avoid charging your phone to 100% or draining it completely to improve battery life. Here are some additional tips on how you can extend your device’s battery life.
• Repair instead of replace: if your phone has a minor issue, consider repairing it rather than buying a new one. Many repair shops can fix common problems like broken screens and battery replacements.

Choose eco-friendly accessories

Opt for accessories that are made from sustainable materials. Look for chargers, cases and headphones made from recycled or biodegradable materials. Here are some examples:

• Biodegradable cases: these could be phone cases made from bamboo or recycled plastics.
• Sustainable materials: consider purchasing phones made with recycled materials or those that prioritize eco-friendly manufacturing processes.
• Solar chargers: use these to power your phone with renewable energy.
• Virtualization: reduce paper consumption by opting for electronic bills and statements.

Recycle your old devices

Proper disposal of your old mobile phones is crucial. One way of doing so is to recycle it properly. According to EPA recycling 1 million mobile phones can recover 35,000 pounds of copper, 772 pounds of silver, and 75 pounds of gold.

Opt for energy-efficient charging

Charging your phone efficiently can also make a difference. Unplug your charger when it’s not in use to avoid what is known as “vampire energy” consumption – also known as phantom power or standby power, this refers to the electricity that devices consume while not actively in use.

Use power-saving features

Most modern smartphones come with these features that can help extend battery life and reduce energy consumption, so you need to make sure you enable these to optimize your phone’s performance. Here is how you can do so:

• Lower screen brightness: reducing brightness can significantly extend battery life.
• Turn off unused features: disable Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and GPS when they’re not in use.
• Enable battery saver mode: this adjusts your phone’s settings to conserve energy.

How to get rid of your old phone sustainably

Over the past few years, several companies and organizations have been leading the way in reducing the environmental impact of mobile phones. For example, Apple has made significant strides in sustainability by using recycled aluminum for its device enclosures, while the company sources 100% recycled tin for its solder. Your device may have also been created with recycled materials, but what happens when it’s time for you to get rid of it? One of the best things you can do is to participate in a trade-in programme. This scheme allows you to trade in your old device for credit, which can then be used to purchase a new one.

To benefit from our trade-in scheme, get your device ready by backing up and transferring your data. Next visit one of our outlets where we’ll inspect your device and give you an exact value on the spot.

Find out all about our trade-in scheme.

Reducing the environmental impact of our mobile phones is an important step towards a more sustainable future. By extending the lifespan of our devices, choosing eco-friendly accessories and recycling old phones, among other things, we contribute to the conservation of natural resources, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and prevent pollution. Let’s make a conscious effort to use our mobile phones responsibly and encourage others to do the same. Together, we can create a greener and more sustainable world.

Sources:
The Hidden Environmental Toll of Smartphones
What does a sustainable smartphone look like?
Repairing – not recycling – is the first step to tackling smartphone e-waste
How dirty is your data?