You may not normally obsess over phone cases. But when you consider that 1.5 billion of them, made of plastic, are tossed into the trash every year and end up on landfills, you may change your mind. In fact, 80% of the total amount of plastic ever produced lies in landfills today, waiting patiently for another 1,000 years to disintegrate.
This is why it's exciting to see innovative case companies take a stab at using unique materials and processes that allow them to tread lightly on the Earth. Some employ linseed plants, others flax or bamboo, and a few even use recycled plastic derived from CDs, fishing nets, and PET bottles. You can also find some mini works of art here.
The real reason these companies stand above their peers, however, is because they're doing all of this while being recognized by the most respected stewards of the land -- such as B Corp, Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), Carbon Neutral, and Cradle to Cradle, amongst others. Their endorsements are supremely tough to get, but if you're able to, they will give your brand instant credibility.
For example, bamboo used in a phone case could have come from an endangered animal habitat or employed children to harvest it, and you would never know. With an FSC badge -- or tips from our list -- you can sleep better knowing you made the Earth a little greener.
Also: The best green phones: Sustainable and eco-friendly smartphones[1]