When it comes to sustainability, certain boxes must be ticked. They include hardware longevity, an environmentally friendly manufacturing process, and being able to be repaired or reused rather than thrown away.
Android is the operating system powering 2.5 billion devices. It pushes the industry towards transparency in supply chains, environmentally friendly design, and end-of-life responsibility.
Longevity
Buying a second-hand phone reduces greenhouse gas emissions as it does not require manufacturing an entirely new device. It also saves energy, which is reasonable considering how much energy it takes to power factories producing smartphones. A single smartphone production requires enough energy to sustain a household for a year.
E-waste is a huge problem, with the world throwing away 50 million metric tons yearly. Most of this is due to the short lifespans of phones. People are constantly replacing them with the latest model, contributing to the global e-waste problem.
But what if you could buy a sustainable new phone? Fortunately, some of the top brands are working toward sustainability. Some are removing toxic materials like arsenic, mercury, and cadmium from their batteries, using more recycled or bio-based plastics, and increasing transparency in their supply chain. They are also making their devices more durable, with some even allowing users to repair them themselves.
Nevertheless, it is still challenging to find a genuinely sustainable new phone. You can look for a phone with a modular design, which makes it easy to repair. You can also look for a brand that uses more renewable energy during manufacturing and supports fair trade with workers in the mining industry. Finally, you should make sure the phone has a firm policy on conflict minerals, as they are often mined under abysmal conditions, with money raised sometimes ending up in armed groups.
Eco-Friendly
The production of smartphones is one of the most resource-intensive products by weight on the planet. The dozens of chemicals needed to make cutting-edge technology – from gold, silver, and platinum for electrical conductors to copper, aluminum, graphite, and lithium – contribute to a considerable carbon footprint. In addition, the mining of rare earth metals has a significant impact on water resources. For example, producing just one ton of neodymium requires 75,000 liters of freshwater. This can lead to deforestation, water contamination, and even violence against indigenous communities.
E-waste is also a severe issue. It contains a wide variety of toxic pollutants, which are released into the environment when it’s dumped. Sadly, only about 16%-20% of e-waste is recycled.
Buying used Android phones reduces the waste the electronics industry creates and saves energy. In addition, many companies that collect old phone devices offer the chance to donate them to charity. Additionally, some companies are releasing phones with recycled and fair materials that are easy to repair so you can keep your smartphone longer.
Multitasking
When you hold a smartphone in your hand, you are holding valuable elements from the Earth that have been extracted using harmful practices. Mobile companies design phones that are easily replaced and not durable, creating e-waste that has to be processed in developing countries, often by informal workers who suffer from toxic exposure. This process results in environmental contamination and contributes to a global shortage of recycled materials.
Besides wasting resources, the manufacture of smartphones is responsible for many greenhouse gas emissions. According to research from Deloitte, a new phone generates 77% of its embodied emissions during the manufacturing process and only 22% from its use. Most emissions come from mining the rare metals needed to make the phones and constructing and shipping them.
As the popularity of smartphones grows, consumers are demanding more features. However, there is a limit to how much energy and raw materials can be used for a single device without impacting functionality. Some brands, such as Apple, are trying to address the issue by building more modular devices that are easier to repair and reuse.
Before buying a new smartphone, look for brands with the best policies on conflict minerals. These minerals are mined in poor conditions, and the profits go to armed groups. You should also check whether the company has an open and transparent supply chain.
Notifications
The phone industry is known for many things, including using conflict minerals and human rights issues, but it also significantly impacts the environment. The average person changes their phone every two years, and this practice is a significant contributor to the growing e-waste problem. Electronic waste contains many toxic metals, such as arsenic, lead, cadmium, and mercury, which pollute the air and soil. These chemicals are often burned in illegal landfills where workers put their lives at risk to extract the materials for a fraction of the cost of mining them.
In addition to polluting the air, these dumps are a significant source of water pollution, contaminating rivers and lakes that provide drinking water for millions of people. Fortunately, many carriers offer trade-in programs that allow customers to sell their old phones for cash or credit toward purchasing a new one. Many of these programs are designed to reduce the amount of e-waste, and they can also help to lower energy consumption by repurposing some of the cells’ materials.
As technology continues to evolve, some cell phone manufacturers are getting more innovative with how they produce their devices.
