Eco-Friendly Electronic Devices – Planet Positive & Sustainable Gadgets
Estimated reading time: 12 minutes
Most of us would be lost without our mobile phones, tablets, headphones or laptop computers, myself included! Even though I grew up in the age when these things didn’t exist and I didn’t own my first cell phone until I was 24 years old, there is no way I could give them up now. Nor should we have to. Some appliances and electronics are essential to making it by in today’s world – from home, to the office, and everywhere in between. But, if we want to live a sustainable lifestyle, we should consider choosing more eco-friendly electronic devices!
First, we must resist the pressure to update our devices as soon as a new version comes out. Like fast fashion, tossing your “old” phone for a new one every year (or less) is not sustainable. Practice minimalism when purchasing a new electronic device, and consider whether or not it is a “need” or simply a “want.” Next, we should care for our devices to make them last.
Because I am a bit clumsy, this means the best and strongest waterproof eco-friendly phone case. When damage does happen, we should take one of the 10 Rs of sustainability into account and investigate repairs before replacements. Lastly, when it truly is time for something new, consider either a used or refurbished device or purchase an eco-friendly electronic device.
But why does which device we buy matter? And how can we ensure we make an eco-friendly and socially responsible decision? Read on to find out!
Jump Ahead
Why Should You Choose Green Electronics?
What Are Eco-Friendly Electronic Devices?
Electronics Sustainability Certifications
Sustainable Tech Devices – Eco-Friendly Brands & Products
Why Should You Choose Green Electronics?
E-Waste
With more of us buying new electronics and appliances several times a year, e-waste is becoming astronomically high. According to the EPA, electronic waste can be classified into ten categories, including small and large household appliances, IT equipment, and consumer electronics. In 2021, an estimated 57.4 million tonnes of e-waste was reported, with approximately 70% of toxic waste in landfills coming from electronic waste.
All electronics and appliances contain lead, cadmium, mercury, and beryllium, which can eventually leech into the soil and air when disposed of in a landfill. According to the WHO, adverse health impacts linked to e-waste include changes in lung function, respiratory and respiratory effects, DNA damage, impaired thyroid function, and increased risk of some chronic diseases, such as cancer and cardiovascular disease.
If these toxic substances can cause such effects in humans, imagine what they do to the environment once released into the soil, air, and water systems.
What Are Eco-Friendly Electronics devices?
Electronic brands that strive to create sustainable and environmentally conscious gadgets have many things to consider and criteria to meet. Here are some of the criteria in the sustainable electronics industry:
- Non-Toxic Components in Gadgets – ecological gadgets need to be made without the toxins mentioned above that harm humans and the environment.
- Energy Efficient Devices – all electronics and appliances require energy consumption to manufacture and use. Earth-friendly electronic products and brands will practice renewable resource utilization during production. They will also ensure their products are energy efficient while in use.
- Durable & High Quality – without an extended product life, your electronics must be replaced more often. To be an environmentally friendly device or appliance, brands must create durable, high-quality products that last.
- Recycled & Recyclable – eco-conscious tech should contain recycled content, include take-back and recycling options at the end of life, and come in reduced and recyclable packaging.
- Refurbished – to be fully sustainable, electronic brands need to employ closed-loop practices, offering the consumer a means of returning their eco-friendly electronic devices at the end of life to be refurbished for reuse.
- Ethically Made – let’s not forget the people involved who make these appliances and eco-friendly electronic devices. To be truly sustainable, electronic brands must ensure safe working conditions, fair wages, and benefits for all their employees.
eco-friendly Electronic devices certifications
You can look for the following sustainability certifications to help you determine whether or not an electronic device is eco-friendly.
TCO Certified
TCO Certified is a world-leading third-party sustainability certification for technological products. IT products that are TCO certified must meet all the stringent criteria for its product category, which is updated every three years. There are eight criteria areas: product and sustainability information, socially responsible manufacturing, environmentally responsible manufacturing, user health and safety, product performance, product lifetime extension, reduction of hazardous substances, and material recovery.
Find products with TCO Certification here.
EPEAT Ecolabel
Owned and operated by the Global Electronics Council® (GEC), EPEAT Ecolabel sets criteria for sustainability leadership in electronics. EPEAT criteria address electronic life cycle sustainability impacts based on international best practices and an evaluation of scientific research.
You can find out if the product you own or want to purchase is EPEAT Ecolabel certified here.
Consider refurbished devices
Just as shopping second-hand for clothing and housewares is a sustainable option, so is buying refurbished electronics. Buying used electronics can also help you live sustainably on a budget! There are plenty of places in person and online that you can do this. Here are some of the best places to buy refurbished, low-impact electronics:
- Best Buy Refurbished
- BackMarket
- Newegg (use search to find refurbished electronics)
- Uptrade
- Gazelle
eco-responsible technology: Eco-Friendly Brands & products
The best place to buy is the one that offers products made sustainably by eco-conscious electronics brands that are taking the planet and people into account. Consider looking at some of the environmentally-friendly brands mentioned here when purchasing a new electronic device.
Sustainable Fairphone
Fairphone is a Certified B Corporation that focuses on sustainability in numerous ways. Most of the components in their phones are made from recycled materials and metals responsibly sourced from Fairtrade-certified mines. The phones are built to last and easy to repair so that you don’t have to replace them often, and the latest version comes with a 5-year extended warranty! When it’s time to replace your device, you can use their Reuse and Recycle Program.
Green Electronics from Apple
In Greenpeace’s Guide to Greener Electronics, Apple falls second only to Fairphone but slightly ahead of other electronics brands like HP and Dell. Apple’s goal for 2030 is to make every product carbon neutral, including the entire supply chain and lifetime use of their eco-friendly electronic devices. They launched their first carbon-neutral product, the Apple Watch Series 9, in September 2023, a first step toward this lofty goal. Check out Apple next time you need to replace a laptop, tablet, or electronics accessory.
LG Eco-Friendly Appliances
LG has ranked first in the appliance category of the Green Builder’s 2023 Sustainable Brand Index and was named 2023 Energy Star partner of the year by the EPA. Life’s Good is working toward carbon neutrality and has achieved a 95% recycling rate from waste at production sites. So next time you require a new green appliance, consider Life’s Good!
Sustainable Speakers & More from The House of Marley
Focused on mindfully sourced materials like bamboo, recycled plastics and metals, and FSC-certified wood, The House of Marley was created to carry on Bob Marley’s legacy of love for music and the planet. The Project Marley Global Giving Initiative supports global reforestation and ocean conservation. Please take a look at their sleek, high-quality, and eco-friendly turntables, speakers, headphones, and accessories on their website.
Eco-Friendly Charging & Green Electronics Hardware
Portable Chargers
Compact Portable Tech Charger – nimble
About this item:
- Capable of an 80% charge in 30 minutes
- Holding three days worth of power
- Encased in 72.5% post-consumer plastic
- Free e-waste recycling
BioLite Solar Panel 5 – optics planet
About this item:
- BioLite’s Optimal Sun System
- Integrated sundial
- Capture direct rays with a 360 degree kickstand
- This energy-saving electronic device stores 2200mAh on onboard battery for later
- Ideal for camping or hiking
Wireless Charger – terra cycle
About this item:
- 100% recycled content
- Compatible with all wireless-charging enabled devices
- Magnetically compatible with the latest iPhone 12 models
- Two times faster than traditional charging cables.
Hot Tip: These portable chargers would make a great eco-friendly gift for the tree hugger in your life!
Use Rechargeable Batteries in your eco-friendly electronic devices
Next time the batteries in your remote or headlamp die, consider purchasing some rechargeable ones to replace them. Keep toxic batteries out of the landfill by taking your old ones to a proper e-waste disposal site. Try using this search page on Call2Recycle to find a location near you.
Try this Pale Blue Earth AA and AAA Sustainability Kit from Optics Planet and never buy alkaline batteries again!
Charging Cables Made from Recycled Materials
We all know that those cheap charging cables aren’t built to last, ensuring you will need to buy a new one frequently. Why not double down on your ethical and sustainable tech practices and buy a durable, long-lasting cable made from recycled material? The way you charge your eco-friendly electronic device can be environmentally conscious too!
Check out this Recycled Charging Cable (USB-C) from Plastic Free Pursuit made from certified recycled plastic and aluminum (BPA & PVC-Free).
Protecting your Sustainable Tech Products
Planet-Friendly Phone Protection
pela
Environmentally friendly brand Pela creates cases for your sustainable gadgets made of Flaxstic®, comprised of compostable bioplastic elastomer and flax straw materials. They have so many fun designs and colors it may be hard to choose!
Laptop Cases
Hasta Laptop Sleeve with handles – terra thread
About this item:
- Made with 14-oz certified fairtrade organic cotton canvas
- YKK lead-free metal zippers
- Made in a Fair Trade Certified™ factory
- Purchase supports Feeding America’s campaign
Disposing of your old devices
Just as we must consider sustainability while purchasing, it is also necessary to practice responsible disposal of electronics devices. There are so many ways to get rid of your old devices, batteries, and hardware responsibly that there’s no excuse not to!
If your device is still usable and you’re comfortable clearing out all your personal data, consider selling it or giving it away to someone in need. There are so many marketplace platforms to help you do this now that you can find someone to give it to! A good example is Freecycle – you can use their town locator here to find the place you live. Another is the partnership between Dell and Goodwill that allows you to drop off at any participating Goodwill to be refurbished or recycled to stringent US Department of Defense standards.
Or, you could find out if the brand of your old device has a buy-back or recycling program as the ones mentioned in this article do. For example, you can recycle your old computer for free with Apple (regardless of its brand) when you purchase a new one from them.
If selling or sending your device back to the brand isn’t possible, find a local business with an electronic recycling program like this one at Best Buy. You can also check for a location near you using the drop-off location search for Call2Recycle here.
Final Thoughts about eco-friendly electronic devices
Remember that the first step to ethical and sustainable tech practices is a change in mindset. Resist the temptation and advertising telling you you NEED the latest version. Next, choose to repair or update without replacing the whole device if that’s an option.
When it is time to replace electronics or appliances, check out some refurbished options before buying new ones. And, if you must, when purchasing a new electronic device, you should consider a brand that takes sustainability, including being socially responsible, into account!
Like any other journey, your path to a more sustainable lifestyle must begin with just one step.
All products recommended to you on Successfully Sustainable are independently researched in depth. To avoid waste and lead a minimal lifestyle, we test products only when required. This post contains affiliate links. If you buy something through our links, we may earn a small commission. Learn more about this here.
