Mobile phones have shifted from becoming a luxury item to a necessity over the past years. With nearly 91% of people worldwide owning a cellphone as of 2023, the demand for phone cases has grown equally. Over a billion phone cases are made and sold annually to match the high number of phone users.
However, as most phone cases use plastic as the primary material, it generates large amounts of harmful waste due to the large-scale production requirement. From taking a long time to decompose from the chemical effects of decomposing plastic to the environment, dealing with plastic waste management is a challenge the world constantly faces.
Thankfully, modern technological advancements opened the door for an alternative in phone case making. One such innovation is using eco-friendly materials to mold top-grade phone cases. For businesses, shifting to eco-friendly phone cases is a smart investment – and here’s an article to show the perks.
Why Opt for Eco-Friendly Phone Cases?
Shifting your phone case manufacturing from using virgin plastic to green and sustainable materials will bring many benefits to your business aside from better profits.
Offering eco-friendly phone cases has a stronger appeal to the global market, especially to ever-growing eco-friendly consumers, who comprise around 18% in 2022. Raw materials can be utilized multiple times, saving up on production costs while maximizing profits. Plus, these materials are BPA-free and compostable, which is good for both the environment and the consumers.
There’s no shortage of stylish designs when making these cases, as most eco-friendly materials can adapt to various configurations to make them stand out. And with the rising trend in natural-looking products, eco-friendly options like bamboo and wood fly off the shelves faster.
Common Eco-Friendly Materials for Phone Cases
We’ve seen the benefits of choosing eco-friendly and sustainable materials for making phone cases. Now, let’s look at some of the best materials to use for eco-friendly phone cases.
Bioplastics
A rising trend in plastic manufacturing, bioplastics are plant-based plastic alternatives made from renewable resources. Compared to traditional plastic that uses petroleum, starches, and vegetable oils make up the main materials required to create bioplastics. This material boasts similar durability and malleability to regular plastic, taking a maximum of six months to decompose.
Bamboo and Wooden Cases
Known for its sturdy and lightweight features, bamboo is an excellent alternative for making phone cases. Not only is bamboo an easily regrowing and sustainable material, but the natural look of the finished bamboo phone cases gives a bespoke finish not found in other materials.
Wood is another in-demand natural phone case material, sought-after by consumers and case makers for its high durability and lasts longer than other options like plastic or silicone. As wood grows naturally and decomposes well, it offers a great alternative to sustainable phone case-making. Additionally, it’s easily customizable and makes for a wonderful conversation piece.
Recycled Materials
Making the most out of available raw materials, more phone case manufacturers are bringing new life to materials through recycling. Some utilize once-used plastics, and bioplastics are recycled to create a new batch of cases, while others go with leftover silicone or aluminum for their phone cases.
Manufacturers work on the leftover materials using a specialized machine to get this done. The materials undergo a series of processes, resulting in a base for the phone cases.
Leading Eco-friendly Phone Case Brands in the Market
Here are some phone case brands that include eco-friendly options in their product offerings:
- Funshare
- Pela
- Casetify
- Nimble
- Wilma
- Ecoblvd
- A Good Company
- Reveal
- Wave
- Skate 4 Create
These businesses opt for sustainable, easily compostable materials made from natural raw materials. Some of these companies also capitalize on their eco-friendly phone case initiatives through unique campaigns.
One is the “take-back program’, where they encourage customers to send them old plastic phone cases for a discount on their sustainable case products. The used plastic phone cases are then recycled to create new eco-friendly phone accessories.
Other businesses partner with organizations involved in protecting the environment, like Surfers Against Sewage and Earthday.org. By working with these groups through donations or tree planting, they encourage customers aligned to eco safety to support their brand.
How to Identify a Truly Eco-friendly Phone Case
Depending on the materials, spotting an eco-friendly phone case could be challenging, especially for businesses starting in the industry.
When selecting a raw material supplier, take time to check their credentials to guarantee they abide by the right standards. Additionally, to gain the trust and support of customers, businesses must secure certifications from global bodies like B-Corp and Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) and follow them throughout the manufacturing process.
Something businesses should remember is to avoid greenwashing. Also known as ‘green sheen,’ this tactic promotes eco-friendly phone cases as green and sustainable without proper evidence.
The best way to avoid greenwashing is to source raw materials from reputable eco-friendly suppliers with a proven track record of green and sustainable practices. Moreover, adding a company’s efforts to produce eco-friendly phone cases and respective certifications will give consumers the assurance needed to rely on their brand.
Future Trends
Technology for making green phone cases has gone a long way and is not showing any signs of slowdown. Upcycling is taking strides, where manufacturers find ways to reuse and recycle existing waste materials to create new pieces for phone case production.
On the material end, researchers are working on developing new green and sustainable materials for phone case making. Some now use cork, flax straw waste (flaxstic), and other innovative sources as raw materials. They boast similar durability and flexibility to plastic but are better for the environment and end-users.
Revitalizing the Future with Eco-Friendly Phone Cases
Eco-friendly phone cases are more than a fad – it’s influencing the next generation of mobile phone case manufacturing. Not only does this help preserve the environment, but it also expands a business’s market reach and captures a growing audience. Every business has a social responsibility, and shifting to eco-friendly processes like producing green phone cases is a wise investment for stability and brand loyalty.
