Key Takeaways
- Did you know your phone case could be made from skateboards or corn? Discover 15 brands revolutionizing sustainable phone cases with unexpected materials.
- Eco-friendly doesn't mean flimsy! Learn how these sustainable phone cases offer top-notch protection while breaking down naturally.
What Are Eco-friendly Phone Cases Made Of?
Sustainable phone cases? What does that even mean? Well, first and foremost, these cases are made using these eco-friendly materials:
- Bamboo: You hardly have to take care of this plant. That’s for low-impact production, but bamboo cases also stick for a long while, flexing a natural look and feel and biodegrading easily when their time is up.
- Wood: Not just any wood, sustainably harvested wood from FSC-certified forests. Like bamboo, these cases protect the environment while also looking naturally stylish.
- Cork: Pop the champagne! Or better yet, use that cork to make a phone case. It's renewable (harvested from cork oak trees without harming them) and chic. What more can you ask?
- Hemp and flax: This duo is super strong and has been used for centuries to make ropes and fabrics. Now, they're protecting our phones too! They're a great choice if you want to use your phone without care and be kind to the environment during the process.
- Plant-based biopolymers: These are special plastics made from plants instead of oil. Blend that with some flax shive, and you’ll get strong cases that won't harm the environment as they decompose like their plastic cousins.
- Recycled plastics: Remember that water bottle you recycled? It might be coming back as your next super durable phone case. Talk about a glow-up!
- PLA (Polylactic Acid): Sounds like rocket science, but they’re actually made from familiar stuff like corn starch, sugarcane, and some other surprising plant-based options. And because these cases are plant-based, they’re biodegradable and compostable under the right conditions.
Some eco-friendly materials. Source: Freepik.
But eco-friendly materials alone aren’t everything about sustainable phone cases. We would have to look at some of these other factors for the full picture:
- Durability: First and foremost, they should be built to last. The best sustainable phone cases are the ones you don't need to replace every other month – that’s literally what “sustainability” means.
- Packaging: This is another touchpoint that can go green. Many brands use minimal, recyclable, or biodegradable packaging, so you don’t trash the land right after you unbox that delivery package.
- End-of-life solutions: When they've served their time, they peacefully return to the earth (or the recycling bin) instead of haunting landfills for eternity.
- Production and shipping methods: Eco-friendly manufacturers often keep these processes as low-impact as possible. They look to minimize their carbon footprint.
15 Best Eco-Friendly Phone Cases
1. Deal Just Deal
Deal Just Deal’s website
Our first pick is a company that makes helping you get an easier and more enjoyable life their top priority. That’s right, it’s us – Deal Just Deal!
We offer a wide range of practical products for all things tech, style, and office needs. We’re not primarily focused on eco friendly phone cases but don’t doubt that we can get you covered in this area.
Our phone cases are tough enough to keep your device safe from everyday bumps and drops. While they might not be marketed as eco-friendly, their durability means you won't need to replace them often. This helps reduce waste to a certain extent!
2. Agood Company
Agood Company's website
Agood is a one-stop shop for you eco-conscious folks with a wide range of everyday products that are kind to the planet. From notebooks made of stone paper to bamboo toothbrushes, they're making it easy to green up your daily routine.
Now, let's talk about their sustainable iphone case. These cases are pretty special – they're made from recycled plastics in circular systems (agood loop™). Someone else’ old candy box is now protecting your phone! The sustainable phone cases are tough enough to guard your device for a long, long time.
Even the way they run their company puts the environment at the forefront. They don’t take up space with a big office that no one else can use, a fancy reception, stale conference rooms, and faceless art. This global team works all around the world!
Additionally, agood is incredible for their commitment to transparency. They're not shy to tell you exactly what materials they use and where their factories are. And, they share detailed yearly carbon reports. It's like they're saying, "Here's what we're doing – come and see for yourself!"
3. CASETiFY
CASETiFY's website
This is a familiar name! With headquarters in Hong Kong and Los Angeles, this global brand has made a big name for itself just by creating cool phone accessories. But they’re definitely not lacking in the green department.
Since 2020, CASETiFY has recycled over 1.9 million phone cases, diverted more than 84 tons of plastic from landfills, planted over 463,000 trees, and offset 22,243,488 pounds of carbon emissions. This is achieved by a holistic, selfless effort to do good.
Their Re/CASETiFY program certainly contributed a significant part. You can send in your used case, and they'll turn it into brand new ones. On the other hand, their Re/CASETiFY ART program collabs with artists all around the world and has been turning thousands and thousands of used cases into beautiful artworks.
Protecting the earth and supporting small artists at the same time? What can be better than that?
4. EcoBlvd
EcoBlvd's website
EcoBlvd lives up to its slogan, “Be part of the solution. Not the pollution.” by producing plant-based or recycled plastic phone cases. That’s right. They give you both options out of an understanding that different people have different preferences.
Moreover, when you order from them, your new cases arrive in plastic-free packaging that's 100% recyclable or biodegradable.
But they aren’t just about making environmentally friendly phone cases – they're on a mission to educate and inspire buyers to make a difference beyond selling products. Their website and social media are packed with tips and information about living a more sustainable life. Small changes can add up to big impacts!
All of these rounds up to EcoBlvd’s 5Cs approach:
- Community
- Consciousness
- Creativity
- Courage
- Compassion
By choosing EcoBlvd, you're not just getting a phone case – you're joining a community that cares about the planet. Get ready to think beyond the product and consider how everyday choices affect the environment because that’s what you can expect from them!
5. Incipio
Incipio's Organicore collection
Incipio, based in Irvine, California, is a company that's been in the mobile accessory game for quite a while - since 1999, to be exact. They really put their mind into research and design. Each collection has their own unique selling points – from Duo’s dual layer to AeroGrip’s comfortable in-hand feel.
Incipio's Organicore collection is the reason they made it to this list of sustainable phone case brands. These cases are made from plant-based materials and are entirely compostable. In fact, these cases can decompose in as little as 6 months in a compost environment.
But don't worry - just because they're compostable doesn't mean they're flimsy. Organicore cases can protect your phone from drops up to 6 feet high. They're also compatible with wireless charging, so you don't have to sacrifice convenience for sustainability.
Other than phone cases, they've got a whole range of mobile accessories, from wireless chargers to power banks. They even have other brands under their umbrella, like Griffin and Survivor.
6. Mujjo
Mujjo's website
Mujjo is a Dutch company that creates premium accessories for Apple devices, including iPhone cases and MacBook sleeves. They're known for their luxurious and sustainable phone cases that don't compromise on quality or looks.
One of Mujjo's standout features is their use of Velore leather, tanned without the use of hard chemicals. You’ll use their cases without worrying about toxins, and they look just like real leather. Turns out sleek, premium-looking cases can be kind of the planet!
Mujjo takes their commitment to sustainability beyond just their products. Their packaging is 100% paper-based, reducing plastic waste and making it easy to recycle.
But being eco-friendly doesn't mean the quality can’t be premium. Mujjo is so confident in the quality of their products that they offer a 2-year guarantee on their cases. This long-lasting design compensates for the slightly pricey upfront cost.
7. Native Union
Native Union's website
Another fellow from the Europe! Native Union is dishing out some of the best eco friendly phone cases straight from the streets of Paris. This brand is on a mission to blend style with sustainability in the tech accessory world. But it’s not some pie-in-the-sky idea – they're changing how we use our gadgets every single day.
Get this: they're kicking plastic packaging to the curb. By the time 2023 wraps up, they're aiming for zero plastic in their packaging. Plus, they're not letting their factories off the hook. They've got some strict rules in place to make sure workers are treated fairly, and the environment doesn't get the short end of the stick.
And finally, with a commitment to producing high-quality products, they make the effort to seek out the best materials available. They're not just slapping "compostable" or "biodegradable" labels on things and calling it a day. Nope, they're constantly digging into new, green alternatives.
The best part? Native Union's approach is refreshingly honest. They admit they're not perfect yet, but they're committed to continuous improvement!
8. Nimble
Nimble's website
Nimble's showing us that high-tech doesn't have to be a pain in the planet's backside. Their slogan, "Tech for Good," isn't just clever wordplay – it's their whole deal.
As with all sustainable brands, their go-to move is eco-friendly materials. Organic hemp, recycled aluminum, recycled glass, recycled silicone, the list goes on. You name it, they've probably recycled it. Throw in packaging that's totally plastic-free, and you've got Nimble in a nutshell.
One more thing that backs them up in the green sector is their E-waste recycling program – One-for-One Tech Recovery Project. For every Nimble gizmo you buy, they make sure the same amount of e-waste stays out of landfills.
How it works is they'll hook you up with a free pre-paid shipping label to easily send old electronics, cables, etc., directly to their partner. From then on, you can have no doubt that you’re contributing to a brighter future. No fuss, no muss.
9. OtterBox
OtterBox's website
OtterBox, known for their tough phone cases, is also working hard to protect the environment. They've introduced two main initiatives:
- LifeProof FRĒ: This case is made with 60% recycled plastic.
- OtterBox Core Series: These cases are crafted using 50% recycled plastic.
But they're not stopping there. Across their most popular cases, about half the plastic is now recycled. By the end of 2023, they reckon they'll have given new life to over 4.6 million pounds of plastic.
Even their packaging is getting an eco-makeover. They've kicked most of the plastic to the curb, replacing it with materials you can toss right in your home recycling bin.
OtterBox keeps this sustainable life in-house, too. Their distribution centers are recycling over 80% of their scrap, keeping more than 500,000 pounds of junk out of landfills in 2023 alone. Talk about taking out the trash!
You can confidently support this brand as they let EcoVadis, a global standard for business sustainability ratings, put them through their paces every year. They even snagged a Committed Badge in 2024!
10. Pela
Pela's website
Pela is serious about making eco friendly phone cases and other sustainable products. They're not just talk – they've got some impressive actions to back it up.
Let's start with their materials. Pela cases are made from Flaxstic, which is a clever mix of flax straw waste and plant-based biopolymers. This means they're using leftover plant materials to create something useful more than they’re dumping trash.
Founder Jeremy Lang believes phone cases are important, but “they shouldn't be just another plastic product made with materials that could carry toxins into your home.” Which is why their cases are also completely toxin-free, aside from being sustainable!
But perhaps the coolest thing about Pela is their Pela 360 program. When you're done with your Pela case, you can send it back to them. They'll either turn it into a new case or break it down to make other products. This makes a close circle, hence the 360.
11. Wave
Wave's website
We're not talking about surfing here. Wave is a phone case company that's making waves in the eco-friendly tech scene (pun intended).
Their sustainable phone cases are made from this nifty stuff called "ocean-based plastic." We can’t make this up. They fish out plastic waste from the oceans and turn it into stylish phone armor.
Still keeping this nautical theme, for every case you snag, they promise to yank a whopping 2.2 pounds of plastic out of the big blue. That's like saving a small fish tank's worth of ocean with every purchase! Their packaging is 100% plastic-free and recyclable, which is pretty much the baseline for sustainable brands now.
Wave's even got the stamp of approval from 1% for the Planet, which means they're dishing out a chunk of their sales to environmental causes.
So next time you're in the market for a phone case, why not catch a Wave?
12. Wilma
Wilma's website
Next up is an eco-friendly phone case brand from the far lands of Russia – Wilma. Their big claim to fame? Something they call "liquid wood." It's not actually liquid but a biodegradable and compostable substance that offers durability comparable to traditional plastics.
Wilma's product range extends beyond phone cases. They've got laptop sleeves, AirPods cases, and even watch bands, all made from materials that won't be haunting landfills for centuries. We're talking wheat straw, ocean plastic, and recycled bottles.
In line with their eco-conscious ethos, Wilma's saying "no thanks" to plastic. They wrap everything up in cardboard that you can toss in the recycling bin without a second thought.
Here's a cool bonus: every time you buy something from Wilma, they plant a tree. Soon enough, it’ll be a whole forest owing to Wilma consumers.
13. Woodcessories
Woodcessories's website
True to the name, this German company offers tech accessories made from… wood! They’re taking the modern world back to nature.
It’s true, Woodcessories is crafting cases from real, FSC-certified wood that comes from responsibly managed forests. Their cases combine this wood with eco-friendly plastics or 100% biodegradable materials for added protection.
They're not stopping at eco friendly phone cases. Woodcessories has wooden watch bands, laptop stands, and even iPad cases. As far as wood goes, you know these things can take a beating and will probably last longer than your tech devices themselves.
They use recycled packaging and work with climate-neutral shipping partners as well. All of these should be enough to tell you that sustainability is a key focus for Woodcessories.
14. ZAGG
ZAGG's website
ZAGG is a big player in the mobile accessories game – from phone cases to screen protectors – and also taking steps to protect the planet, even when their marketing doesn’t center around this factor.
Their phone cases come in all shapes and sizes, from slim designs to rugged armor. Many of their cases use recycled materials, showing they're thinking about sustainability. For example, their Gear4 cases rock this fancy D3O Bio material, a plant-based protection material that's kinder to the environment.
ZAGG is also working on reducing waste in their packaging. They've cut down on plastic use and are moving towards more recyclable materials. Plus, they're partnering with Close the Loop USA to recycle old tech accessories, keeping them out of landfills.
15. Skate4Create
Skate4Create's Etsy shop
Not a fancy, put-together brand like the rest, Skat4Create is a humble Etsy shop that’s found a unique way to combine skateboarding culture with sustainable phone cases. They take used skateboards that have seen better days and give them a chance to protect your precious pocket computer. Unexpected much?
Each case is handmade, which means no two are exactly alike. They use real skateboard wood, complete with the original graphics and wear patterns, to create colorful and durable phone cases. This upcycling process not only creates unique accessories but also keeps old skateboards out of landfills.
And hey, it's not just phones getting the skate treatment. Your AirPods and Apple Watch can join the halfpipe party, too. They’re really encouraging consumers to buy less and buy better!
