Is Your Cell Phone Green?

The mobile phone is an incredible invention, and as technology continues to advance, we can expect to see sleeker, shinier, and sexier models in the market. But if, like us here at Greenwerks, you’re concerned about the environmental impact of cell phones and cell phone use, then it’s time we take a closer look at how this essential little communicate gadget can turn green.

Cell phones actually have a few positive effects on the environment. Communication and information on-the-go on a wireless digital device, for example, can reduce our need for printed news, papers, even postage. In fact, in a University of California, Berkeley study, it’s been suggested that reading news on your mobile or your PDA instead of through printed and delivered subscriptions requires up to 140 times less carbon dioxide and 26 to 67 times less water.

But the environmental concerns raised by the production and usage of cell phones generally outweigh the advantages. In manufacturing and assembling these devices, a significant amount of toxic chemicals is released. Building components such as circuit boards and cables, for example, releases bromine and chlorine into the environment. Not good. There’s also concern about the fumes and toxins that come from the heavy metals (like mercury, copper, and lead), petroleum-based plastics, BFRs (brominated flame retardants), and LCD materials that manufacturers today like to work with. Even the act of getting rid of cell phones can be harmful to the environment. According to the United Nations, about 20 to 50 million tons of waste come from electronics, which fill up the landfills and allow metals to leach into the earth’s soil.

Fortunately, cell phone makers are thinking greener, too. Don’t worry: there won’t be any bamboo mobile phones coming out soon.

The PVC- and BFR-free Samsung Blue Earth, available in the UK market, is a solar-powered full-touch cell phone housed in recycled plastic. It also has a built-in pedometer that measures the reduction in greenhouse gas emissions that users would get from walking instead of using motor vehicles. The Blue Earth comes with an energy-efficient charger, but the phone can be charged pretty much anywhere, at any time, with the solar panel located at the back.

LG, meanwhile, recently launched the LG POP, a slim and sexy touch-screen phone with solar cells embedded in its battery. The LG POP’s packaging is also made from recycled paper with soy ink printing. The LG Remarq, meanwhile, is a recyclable cell phone made from 19 percent recycled plastic – complete with a package that’s made from 87 percent post-consumer material.

Sony Ericsson also has several green cell phones that are perfect for environmentalists. They are released under the Greenheart line, which includes eco-friendly models like the Aspen, Hazel, Elm, Naite, and C901 Greenheart. Both the Sony Ericsson Elm and Sony Ericsson Hazel are designed to minimize environmental impact through: use of recycled plastics and waterborne paint, low power consumption chargers, minimized packaging, the Walk Mate Eco application, and a green calculator.

Nokia also recently released an eco-savvy model called the Nokia N79 Eco, which comes in smaller packaging and no charger. A part of each purchase also goes to the World Wildlife Fund.

The list will grow longer as more manufacturers begin to recognize the importance of going green. Even developers are starting to get in on the act, what with the rise of new mobile phone applications that are designed to help save the planet.

If you don’t have a green cell phone yet, you can still take part in minimizing the environmental impact of cell phone use. Here are a few green tips to help you start off:

• Unplug your phone chargers. Once your cell phone battery is fully charged, make sure that you unplug its charger from the socket; otherwise it will continue to draw energy, even if your phone is no longer connected.

• Or get a solar-powered or energy-efficient charger. Cell phone manufacturers aren’t just designing green phones; they’re also coming up with green phone accessories in order to address issues with power use. A great way to make significant energy savings is to grab an energy-efficient charger or, if your phone manufacturer has it, a solar-powered one.

• Choose the energy-saving settings in your phone. Today’s models will usually come with features that help you save plenty of battery power. Things like minimizing your phone’s backlight, lowering the screen display’s brightness and vibration levels, skipping the animated wallpaper, and turning off the Bluetooth connection (when not in use) are only some of the ways you can green your cell phone – no matter if it isn’t being billed as “eco-friendly”.

• Turn it off. Up in the air on a flight or inside the movie house? Take advantage of these opportunities to power off your phone entirely.

• Donate your old cell phone. Instead of letting it gather dust in a storage box in the basement, think of a more charitable – and certainly greener – way to dispose of the mobile device you’re no longer going to use. Get involved in something like Cell Phones for Soldiers or just drop it off at the local recycling center. Not only will you feel rewarded for helping out other people; you will also be reducing the need for further mining.

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