It used to be that in order to make green and/or ethical purchases in your everyday life, it was rather difficult to find alternatives that were safe for the environment and left behind a much smaller footprint. That same sentiment cannot be shared today as consumers are provided with an ever-increasing number of products and services that are safer and greener for humans, animals, and the planet as a whole.
One area that you may want to look into for a more ethical or greener approach is with your smartphone. According to statistics, the number of smartphones in the world is expected to hit 2.71 billion by the end of this year, which leaves the door open for a lot of companies to jump into green initiatives. Here’s a look at some of the green and ethical innovations happening right now within the smartphone industry.
Ecotalk
Ecotalk is a phone network that is taking a whole new approach to how its company is run. It is powered by 100% green energy and is using profits to actually purchase land that can be "given back" to nature. Farmland is being left to nature, allowing it to take its natural course.
In 2004 alone, the company purchased 40 acres of land near Stroud, Gloucestershire in which they went on to plant 20,000 trees and let the woodland return to its natural state.
This innovative approach is a first in Britain, and the company states possibly the whole world where mobile phone service is concerned. What this means is that each time consumers purchase a phone and a plan from Ecotalk, they will be making a donation to the environment, and making use of green energy.
Ecotalk is actually highlighted on the Go Green website, which discusses all things green and ethical happening around the world right now.
Fairphone
Here’s another intriguing and innovative company in the telecommunications industry that is really embracing green initiatives. Fairphone is a first in the world, as it is the first company to offer ethical, modular smartphones. Its mission statement is to provide consumers with a great phone without having to sacrifice a fair supply chain.
The company takes pride in using fair materials, reusing and recycling whenever possible, providing good working conditions for its employees, and at the same time offering a well-made long-lasting design. The company is still relatively new, as it was just started back in 2013, but it’s doing its best to set a new standard in the industry. It’s all about making a positive impact through the value chain in mining, the design process, manufacturing, and then the life cycle of the actual phone.
Watch for More Green and Ethical Options to Become Available
As consumers become more aware and more environmentally conscious, they will demand more and more from the various industries, and expect companies to make greener designs and decisions. The smartphone industry seems to be just at the brink of some major changes in this regard.