We’ve already offered ideas on how you can recycle or safely dispose of your old mobile. But now it may be time for a new one. Mobile manufacturing companies are beginning to test the waters and develop ‘green mobiles.’ While there aren’t too many of these models available in the Australian market just yet, eco-friendly phones could be the future of mobile technology.
What makes a mobile – green?
Some of the things that make a mobile more ‘green’ are:
• Using less energy and sustainable practices to manufacture the handset (and therefore reducing its carbon footprint!)
• Using environmentally friendly materials
• Using recycled resources, as well as materials that can be re-used after the device’s lifespan
• Using energy-saving technology in order to operate
Nokia have made a number of eco-friendly choices on some of their newer devices. The Nokia E72, Nokia E55, Nokia 6720 classic, Nokia 6710 Navigator, Nokia 6730 classic, Nokia E52 and Nokia 5630 XpressMusic come with some of the latest innovations in sustainable and energy-saving practices.
How can I support the continued development of eco-friendly phones?
Green mobiles are still hard to come by in Australia, but there are some phones and manufacturing companies that are more eco-friendly than others.
If you want utter the words ‘it’s easy being green,’ then follow these green rules:
• Do your research. While we don’t have any handsets (yet) made entirely out of plastic bags, some phones contain recycled parts or use more recyclable materials than others. Avoid purchasing phones that contain chemicals that are harmful to the environment. If you’re after an iPhone 3Gs, you can read its environmental specifications online.
• Do your research on the company that manufactures the phone –most major manufacturers display their environmental targets and vision online. The company may not be able to provide you with a ‘green mobile,’ but if they are beginning to develop models like these, and observe sustainable practices, why not support them? Companies will only develop green mobiles if they know there is a demand for it – show that you’re interested!
• Buy local, and reduce your carbon footprint. Unfortunately, this is a tough one. There aren’t many phones manufactured within Australia.
• Purchase phones with recycled packaging. And why not tell the friendly sales assistant that you don’t need a bag?