The theme of the climate crisis has gained more and more space and importance on the global stage, in order to reduce carbon emissions and other pollutants that may affect the environment. The subject has become fundamental for companies’ businesses and is also thought of as an economic topic of the moment.
The subject also appears in the technology segment, with the presence of recycled materials in the construction of a series of devices, such as smartphones. But how can this help save the planet? Detective TudoCelular will now delve into the topic for you.
Cell phones with sustainable materials
One of the companies that have turned their attention to the subject is Samsung. Since the Galaxy S22 line, the company has started to use recyclable materials in the construction of its most advanced cell phones and has now expanded the number of ecological components.
From six in the last generation, the number of parts made from recycled materials for the Galaxy S23 has doubled to 12. Among them are both internal and external parts of the devices.
But Samsung’s top performers in recent years are not the only ones who have bet on sustainability directly in the construction of their cell phones. Two other models focused on the environmental theme a few years ago.
One of them consists of the Teracube 2e, a smartphone developed with 25% recyclable plastic, made possible through the crowdfunding platform Indiegogo. It was thought to have a durability of at least four years.
Another is the Fairphone 3 Plus, a device created with 40% recycled plastic. It was thought to offer a design with easy repairability. Thus, it would be possible to update the parts – since it has detachable modules – and generate greater efficiency in recycling.
Impact two smartphones not environment
Although the change in smartphone construction does not seem to make much difference, it plays an important role in changing the sector in relation to the environmental impacts it generates.
A study published in 2018 in Journal of Cleaner Production analyzed the impact of the Information and Communication industry on carbon emissions on the planet. The data collected between 2010 and 2016 showed a projection that the segment, which represented 1% of the carbon footprint in 2007, had tripled in the period and would reach 14% by 2040 – almost half of the environmental impact of the transport sector.
In practical terms, the production of a new cell phone represents something around 85% to 95% of total CO emissions.2 of the unit during its useful life – estimated at two years. The amount in gross terms only in manufacturing would reach up to ten times more emissions than the rest of the use of the device.
The main factor for such an impact would come from the rare materials inside cell phones – hence the importance of looking for ecological alternatives that can reduce this impact from the very beginning.
refurbished vs recyclable
Parallel to the development of new construction alternatives, refurbished appliances have already emerged with the proposal of also helping to reduce the sector’s carbon footprint. These are the used ones that go back to the factory, go through an overhaul process, and go back to the market for a sale with perfect use and at a lower cost.
On the environmental side, the sale of a refurbished smartphone means one less smartphone produced – that is, without going through all the industrial steps that might generate carbon emissions.
On the one hand, the positive point of this practice is that it disposes of the used device faster than the traditional recycling process. On the other hand, directly using recyclable materials in production proves to be a broader and more comprehensive solution – it is worth emphasizing that one does not exclude the other.
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It shouldn’t be the only help
In summary, the use of recyclable parts in cell phones is an important part of the goal of making the planet more sustainable. However, the initiative alone will not completely save the world from climate problems.
Initiatives that can increase the useful life of the cell phone are also complemented by the development of construction alternatives, such as increasing support and software updates, ecological packaging, easier disposal processes for recycling, initiatives to sell refurbished products and more efficient hardware.
The reduction of the carbon footprint generated by the technology sector is of great relevance in the environmental context and can lead to more initiatives in other productive sectors as well.
What do you think of the greater presence of recyclable materials in smartphones? Do you believe that the initiative might bring a great contribution to save the planet from environmental problems? Interact with us!