You may have gone through so many different phone cases in your life. Rarely do we see this as an issue. You can find phone cases anywhere and there are so many online retailers that sell them. There is a surprisingly wide variety of phone cases and you will be able to find almost anything you are looking for. The internet is filled with cut smartphone cases and they are relatively cheap which makes it even more tempting to switch them out as often as you would clothing.
But most of the cheap phone cases you find online tend to be of flimsy design and they don’t tend to last long. This is not considered a negative point by most users as we are so used to switching out cases often. But have you considered the impact of these phone cases on the environment? While you may hold onto your phone for more than a year at least, the same is not true when it comes to accessories and this is something that needs to change.
Whenever you upgrade your phone, you tend to purchase new accessories to go with it. Almost all the options you find for phone cases are plastic which a big problem becomes when the entire world population buys and discards these cases in a short time. These take up space in landfills and contribute to the volume of micro plastics in the waterways and oceans.
The entire electrical industry needs to be more sustainable and we can start with the humble phone case when it comes to this endeavor. You need to look for companies that will provide you with a sustainable product that comes with high quality. There are biodegradable phone cases that have become more popular as a solution to the plastic problem. These are a better solution when compared to the plastic cases that take so many years to break down and still leave toxic residue after breaking down.
Some of the materials that are considered better options are bioplastics, recycled materials and natural materials like wood. Bioplastics or biodegradable plastic cases are made of plant based fiber. Many manufacturers use bamboo, corn starch and wheat for these cases. These break down faster than plastic but you will find that natural materials tend to break down faster.
Some of the natural materials that are available for phone cases are cork, hardwood and bamboo. These are compostable materials as long as they are not combined with other non-biodegradable materials. In this CASE, it simply becomes a gimmick instead of a solution. And when it comes to natural materials, you need to consider how these are sourced. For example, reclaimed timber and sustainably managed forests have to be used or you are still adding to the problem.
Also, recycled plastic cases are also a good option as these will keep the plastic in landfills. As long as you are using it, you are not adding to the landfills. Make sure that all components are made of either sustainable or recycled material. You also need to dispose of the cases safely.