You use your smartphone everyday to get in touch with friends, browse the Web, or check the news. You take it with you in nearly anywhere you go and keep it by your bedside when you call it a day. You can even say that you spend more time with your smartphone than you do with your family. Of course, that’s only because you are fully aware of how important your smartphone is to you, but those smartphones do not come without any impact on the environment.
The good news is some phone makers are now in the practice of ensuring the safety of our environment. Here are five of the greenest smartphone makers in the world ranked by the Greenpeace International in terms of sustainability, greenhouse gas emissions, recycling and use of precious earth minerals, and energy efficiency.
1. Nokia – the Finland-headquartered phone maker has phone collection points in 100 countries, and its latest handsets have all used recycled plastics.
2. Apple – even though this company will always be associated with the late Steve Jobs, it is making a lot of efforts to be recognized as one of the most environment-friendly brands. It is one of the first tech companies to produce polyvinyl chloride plastic (PVC) and brominated frame retardant (BFR) free products.
3. Samsung – the South Korean giant is lauded for its approach to product lifestyle, helping customers hold on to their existing devices for as long as possible. It has also been very open about its own greenhouse emissions and supply chain partners.
4. Sony – the pride of Japan has replaced the use of polyvinyl chloride plastic (PVC) with post-consumer recycled plastics in its products. Like Apple and Nokia, it also scores high for the energy efficiency of its product lines.
5. Lenovo – the Chinese multinational company has been recently investing heavily in the use of recycled plastics to make its products meet or exceed Energy Star efficiency. It’s now in the process of setting ambitious targets for cutting its greenhouse gas emissions.