How to choose ethical mobile phones for business

Mobile phones play an essential role in modern business communication. Plenty of businesses offer business mobile phone contracts as a benefit for their staff, helping them to avoid relying on their personal phones for their company comms.

But have you ever stopped to think about where these devices come from? How much do we really know about how mobile phones are sourced, and what goes into making them? And furthermore, just how sustainable are these practices?

With these questions in mind, our aim is to guide you through the process of choosing an ‘eco phone’, including examples of makes phones ethical and profiles of the most eco-friendly smartphone brands.

When the time comes to dispose of a mobile phone, we offer advice on the most sustainable options. And on top of that, we’ve included real-life insight from small business owners and experts in the field.

If you’re looking for a new business device and want to know what the most eco-friendly mobiles are, but also want to learn more about the topic and the options available, we can help you.

What is an ethical mobile phone?

With the rise of movements like conscious consumerism and ethical shopping, it seems fitting that people are growing increasingly interested in making sustainable choices as often as possible – and this includes mobile phones, too. But what is an ethical mobile phone, exactly?

Essentially, ethical mobile phones avoid using materials from conflict zones, are manufactured ethically, and aim to reduce waste. 

So how else are ethical mobiles different from their standard counterparts?

• Sustainable materials and processes – cobalt, gold, and tin are three examples of minerals that are often used in mobile phones. Ethical mobile phones use sustainable processes for mining and manufacturing these products
• Excluded materials – ethical mobile phones typically avoid using PVC, mercury, and nickel, along with Brominated Flame Retardants (BFR) and radio frequency radiation (rFR). Overall, you can expect lower levels of emissions and radiation too 
• Batteries – ethical mobile phones are typically powered by removable batteries with longer lifespans
• Recycling – ethical phones tend to have a big focus on recyclability, whether this refers to the materials used to make the device, using smaller printed guides, using repairable parts, or the amount and type of packaging used to store and sell the phone

When researching ethical mobile phones, you’re likely to come across the concept of ‘planned obsolescence’. This refers to the way in which many standard phones are designed to become out of date before they no longer work, such as through frequently releasing new models or software updates. 

Asad Hamir, founder at Klyk, describes ethical phones in the following way: “Truly ethical phones are less about purchasing the latest kit and more about making the most of what we have. Gone are the days of upgrading every year; our reliance on technology is only going to increase, and providers need to make products that are more reliable, stronger and more efficient.”

The founders at Raylo discuss ethical phones: “An ethical mobile is a device that is part of a circular user cycle. In other words, it has been used by its initial owner then refurbished for reuse for the next person. Taking an ethical approach ensures a device goes on to have a second, third, or even fourth life rather than be placed in the bin or left to languish in a drawer. 

“A phone that sits in a drawer is as good as one that sits in landfill if it ages beyond the point it is of any use to anyone and is eventually just binned. And it’s important that sustainability is built into the fabric of a company’s approach. That means having the right things in place to ensure its made easy for the customer to do the right thing with their device. At Raylo it’s a core part of our deliverable.”

How to choose sustainable mobile phones

If you’re interested in getting an ethical mobile phone, which features and functions should you look for? And what’s involved in the selection process?

The most sustainable option is to use the phone that you already have for as long as possible. However, when you do need to get a new device, what should you look out for?

• Refurbished models – this means that less energy and fewer resources are required, as the device already exists (as opposed to choosing a new device that has to be made from scratch)
• Repairable parts – replacement parts that can be easily accessed can help extend the lifetime of a device
• Less priority on aesthetics – choosing an ethical phone sometimes means foregoing the sleekest, latest designs; instead, focus on a company’s sustainability policies and its environmental impact
• Materials – seek out materials that are recyclable and conflict-free
• Check policies – assess a company’s commitment to sustainability by looking at its policies on supply chain management, as well as toxic and conflict minerals
• Packaging – ethical mobile phones are likely to use minimal packaging, or avoid it altogether. Cases could be made of natural materials. Some brands will also reduce or eliminate the amount of paper used for the guides
• Storage – opt for less internal storage, as this can help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions produced while creating some devices

The founders at Raylo advise: “Business owners should consider buying refurbished phones or purchasing new phones through a company that has built a sustainable approach into the core of their business. 

“Beyond that it’s also worth looking at what else that company do to support sustainability – are they B Corp certified? Are they supporting initiatives that contribute to solving the problem?”

It’s also worth noting that it’s important to make the right decision from the very beginning – to find a phone that you’re happy with, so that you’re less likely to change it as frequently. Ask yourself: does the phone have all the features and functions you need for your business, both for now and for the long-term?

Once you’ve got a new mobile, be sure to take action to protect it so you can use it for as long as possible. For example:

• Use screen and case protectors (with sustainably sourced materials)
• Arrange insurance cover for repairs
• Keep software updated
• Use low energy chargers

Check out the Ifixit guide to smartphone repairability scores for more information and reviews.

Hamir says: “It’s time to champion better, more efficient use of tech by extending the lifecycle of phones. Empower people to keep their phones for another twelve months rather than succumbing to the urge to buy the latest shiny new kit – it’s a simple and painless way that we can all make a positive contribution to the environment. 

“If we extended the lives of all smartphones in the UK by just 1 year, it would save nearly 256,000 tonnes of CO2. Newer phones offer better functionality and better security and we do need technological advancement, but not everyone needs the latest and greatest.”

Mobile phone recycling

The sustainability process doesn’t stop once you’ve opted to use an ethical device. After using your phone to its fullest, you’ll need to dispose of it sustainably. This often means recycling your mobile phone, as many of the materials can be recovered or used again.

According to Recycle Now, up to 80% of a phone can be recycled. Broken phones can also be recycled, as well as devices that are still working. Here are some top tips about how to recycle your mobile phone:

• Remove your personal data from the device 
• Pass it on for someone else to use, such as another team member
• Donate it to charity
• Sell it online to be recycled through mobile phone recycling sites

Recycling old devices helps to reduce energy demands, as well as limit the pollution created during the production process. Furthermore, some of the materials and minerals used in mobile phones, such as gold and silver, can be recovered and used in other industries.

Hamir comments: “The first priority is to establish if the device still has value. If it does, the best thing is to extract as much value from it as possible via recycling websites or even selling the devices on sites like Ebay. If this isn’t an option, then making sure a device is recycled responsibly through recycling centres which are dotted all over the UK is important; they can refurbish it or strip it for parts rather than dumping it in landfills.”

On the sustainable disposal of mobile phones, the founders at Raylo advise: “If a phone cannot be re-used by someone else than dispose of it properly by using R2 Responsible Recycling partners only. They will ensure traceability of what happens to the phone and all its parts. Those parts deemed as waste (beyond repair) will be sold only to downstream partners that commit to the same responsible recycling environment, removing harmful dumping of parts into landfill.”

When asked if there are any myths about ethical mobile phones they’d like bust, the founders at Raylo state: “The new devices being manufactured today are actually allowing us to extend the life of phones. It’s possible to keep them in circulation for longer than ever before due to their increased robustness and improved technology. It’s a myth that you can’t take an active approach to being more sustainable. Either by keeping your phone for longer or by obtaining it from a company that are committed to doing the right thing by it throughout its lifecycle.”

And any myths about ethical phones that Hamir would like to bust? “A zero-carbon world is simply not possible when it comes to technology due to the nature of the materials and manufacturing processes used. But, we can all work together so we all consume tech more responsibly and hold manufacturers to task on making tech that’s more responsible to the world.”

Summary

Businesses will always need to use mobile phones in their day-to-day operations, and in general, it’s difficult to imagine a world without them. But there is room for flexibility in which phones you choose, and how you use them – it’s possible to make more sustainable choices, and this includes using eco phones.

From assessing supply chain processes and the types of materials used, through to choosing mobile phone brands that put sustainability at the forefront, there are a number of ways to make your business mobiles more environmentally friendly. And once you’ve selected your new device, take steps to prolong the life of your current mobile by protecting it, and repairing issues whenever possible.  

Whether you opt for a completely ethical device like the Fairphone, or seek out mainstream providers who are doing their bit for the environment, the important thing is that such actions have the potential to not only benefit your business, but the planet too.