Ethical smartphones: sustainable and responsible

Ethical phones are cellular phones that are manufactured with consideration for the environmental impact, the source of the materials with which they are built, human rights, and the health of workers in the production chain. In particular, ethical phones meet the following criteria: They use sustainable materials and come from responsible sources. For example, they may use recycled materials or materials from mines that respect human rights and the environment. They are made by workers who have decent working rights and conditions. For example, workers must be paid fairly, have access to healthcare, and not be subjected to exploitation. They are designed to be durable and repairable. This helps to reduce waste and environmental impact. 

Some examples of ethical phones include: 

Fairphone (BUY ON EBAY)

Fairphone is a Dutch company that designs and manufactures ethical smartphones. The company's mission is to create a more sustainable and responsible approach to smartphone manufacturing. Fairphone phones are built with recycled materials, fair labor practices, and open-source software. Fairphone uses recycled materials whenever possible, such as recycled aluminum for the phone's frame and recycled plastic for the battery cover. The company also sources its materials from responsible suppliers who meet high environmental and social standards. Fairphone works with suppliers who pay their workers a fair wage and provide them with safe and healthy working conditions. The company also audits its suppliers regularly to ensure that they are complying with its ethical standards. Fairphone uses open-source software for its smartphones, which means that the software code is freely available for anyone to use and modify. This allows users to have more control over their phones and to support the development of open-source software. Fairphone's latest smartphones, the Fairphone 4 and 4 Plus, are designed to be modular, which means that their components can be easily replaced. This makes it easier to repair the phones and to extend their lifespan. Fairphone is committed to transparency about its sourcing, manufacturing, and labor practices. The company publishes detailed reports on all of its operations, and it is open to feedback from its customers. While Fairphone phones are not the cheapest on the market, they are more affordable than many other ethical smartphones. The company believes that people should not have to sacrifice their values to obtain a high-quality smartphone.

Here are some of the benefits of choosing a Fairphone phone:
You are helping to reduce your environmental impact by choosing a phone that is made with recycled materials. You are supporting fair labor practices by choosing a phone that is made by workers who are paid a fair wage and have safe and healthy working conditions. You are getting a phone that is built to last, thanks to its modular design and use of durable materials. You are getting a phone that runs open-source software, which gives you more control over your device. You are supporting a company that is committed to transparency and ethical business practices. If you are looking for a smartphone that is made with social and environmental responsibility in mind, then Fairphone is a great option. The company's phones are high-quality, affordable, and built to last.

Here are some of the specific features of the Fairphone 4 that make it an ethical choice:
The phone's frame is made from recycled aluminum and its battery cover is made from recycled plastic. The company uses conflict-free minerals and recycled gold in its phones. Fairphone has a strict code of conduct for its suppliers, which includes requirements for fair wages, safe working conditions, and no child labor. The company publishes detailed reports on its sourcing, manufacturing, and labor practices.

Shiftphone (shiftphones.com)

Shiftphone is a German company that designs and manufactures modular smartphones. The company's goal is to make smartphones that are easy to repair and upgrade. Shiftphones are built with sustainable materials, fair labor practices, and modular design. Shiftphone uses recycled materials whenever possible, such as recycled plastic for the phone's back cover and recycled batteries. The company also sources its materials from responsible suppliers who meet high environmental and social standards. Shiftphone works with suppliers who pay their workers a fair wage and provide them with safe and healthy working conditions. The company also audits its suppliers regularly to ensure that they are complying with its ethical standards. Shiftphones are designed to be modular, which means that their components can be easily replaced. This makes it easier to repair the phones and to extend their lifespan. Shiftphone's current models, the Shift 5me and Shift 6, have a modular design that allows you to replace the battery, display, camera, and other components. Shiftphone uses open-source software for its smartphones, which means that the software code is freely available for anyone to use and modify. This allows users to have more control over their phones and to support the development of open-source software. Shiftphone's phones run on a custom Android ROM called ShiftOS, which is based on Android Open Source Project. Shiftphone is committed to transparency about its sourcing, manufacturing, and labor practices. The company publishes detailed reports on all of its operations, and it is open to feedback from its customers. Shiftphones are generally more affordable than Fairphone phones, but they still offer many of the same ethical features. The Shift 5me and Shift 6 start at around €350, which is significantly less than the Fairphone 4 and 4 Plus.

Here are some of the benefits of choosing a Shiftphone:
You are helping to reduce your environmental impact by choosing a phone that is made with recycled materials. You are supporting fair labor practices by choosing a phone that is made by workers who are paid a fair wage and have safe and healthy working conditions. You are getting a phone that is built to last, thanks to its modular design and use of durable materials. You are getting a phone that runs open-source software, which gives you more control over your device. You are supporting a company that is committed to transparency and ethical business practices. If you are looking for an affordable and ethical smartphone, then Shiftphone is a great option. The company's phones are high-quality, durable, and built with social and environmental responsibility in mind.

Here are some of the specific features of the Shift 6 that make it an ethical choice:
The phone's back cover is made from recycled plastic and its battery is made from recycled materials. The company uses conflict-free minerals and recycled metals in its phones. Shiftphone has a strict code of conduct for its suppliers, which includes requirements for fair wages, safe working conditions, and no child labor. The company publishes detailed reports on its sourcing, manufacturing, and labor practices.

Doro (BUY ON EBAY)

Doro is a Finnish company that specializes in mobile phones for seniors. The company's phones are designed to be easy to use and durable, making them a great option for people who are looking for an ethical and accessible smartphone. Doro uses recycled materials whenever possible, such as recycled plastic for the phone's shell and recycled batteries. The company also sources its materials from responsible suppliers who meet high environmental and social standards. Doro works with suppliers who pay their workers a fair wage and provide them with safe and healthy working conditions. The company also audits its suppliers regularly to ensure that they are complying with its ethical standards. Doro's phones are designed specifically for seniors, with large, easy-to-read screens, big buttons, and clear menus. This makes it easier for older adults to use their phones without getting frustrated. Doro's phones are also built to be durable, with reinforced frames and scratch-resistant screens. This means that they can withstand the wear and tear of everyday use, even from seniors who may not be as gentle as younger users. Doro's phones are generally more affordable than other ethical smartphones, making them a great option for people who are on a budget. The company believes that everyone should be able to afford a smartphone, regardless of their age or financial situation.

Here are some of the specific features of Doro phones that make them an ethical choice:
The company uses recycled materials whenever possible, such as recycled plastic for the phone's shell and recycled batteries. Doro has a strict code of conduct for its suppliers, which includes requirements for fair wages, safe working conditions, and no child labor. The company publishes detailed reports on its sourcing, manufacturing, and labor practices. Doro uses a custom operating system called EasyAccess, which is designed to be easy to use for older adults. Doro offers a range of accessories and services to help seniors stay connected, such as a fall detection service and a hearing aid compatible headset. If you are looking for an ethical and affordable smartphone that is specifically designed for seniors, then Doro is a great option.

Here are some of the specific benefits of choosing a Doro phone:
You are helping to reduce your environmental impact by choosing a phone that is made with recycled materials. You are supporting fair labor practices by choosing a phone that is made by workers who are paid a fair wage and have safe and healthy working conditions. You are getting a phone that is easy to use and navigate, making it ideal for older adults who may not be as tech-savvy as younger users. You are getting a phone that is durable and can withstand the wear and tear of everyday use. You are supporting a company that is committed to ethical business practices and is making a positive impact on the lives of seniors.

Pine64 (pine64.org)

Pine64 is an open-source hardware company that designs and manufactures ethical smartphones, laptops, and other electronics. The company is committed to using sustainable materials, fair labor practices, and open-source software. Pine64 uses recycled materials whenever possible, such as recycled plastic for the PinePhone's case and recycled batteries. The company also sources its materials from responsible suppliers who meet high environmental and social standards. Pine64 works with suppliers who pay their workers a fair wage and provide them with safe and healthy working conditions. The company also audits its suppliers regularly to ensure that they are complying with its ethical standards. Pine64 uses open-source software for its smartphones and laptops, which means that the software code is freely available for anyone to use and modify. This allows users to have more control over their devices and to support the development of open-source software. Pine64's smartphones, the PinePhone and PinePhone Pro, are designed to be modular, which means that their components can be easily replaced. This makes it easier to repair the phones and to extend their lifespan. Pine64 is committed to transparency about its sourcing, manufacturing, and labor practices. The company publishes detailed reports on all of its operations, and it is open to feedback from its customers. Pine64's phones and laptops are generally more affordable than mainstream devices, making them a great option for people who are looking for an ethical and affordable option. The company believes that everyone should have access to technology, regardless of their income.

Here are some of the specific benefits of choosing a Pine64 device:
You are helping to reduce your environmental impact by choosing a device that is made with recycled materials. You are supporting fair labor practices by choosing a device that is made by workers who are paid a fair wage and have safe and healthy working conditions. You are getting a device that is easy to repair and upgrade, thanks to its modular design. You are getting a device that runs open-source software, which gives you more control over your device. You are supporting a company that is committed to transparency and ethical business practices. If you are looking for an ethical and affordable smartphone or laptop, then Pine64 is a great option.

Purism (BUY ON EBAY)

Purism is a company that designs and manufactures smartphones and laptops with a focus on ethics and privacy. The company's goal is to create devices that are free from the data collection and surveillance that is common in mainstream smartphones. Purism uses recycled materials whenever possible, such as recycled aluminum for the phone's frame and recycled plastic for the battery cover. The company also sources its materials from responsible suppliers who meet high environmental and social standards. Purism works with suppliers who pay their workers a fair wage and provide them with safe and healthy working conditions. The company also audits its suppliers regularly to ensure that they are complying with its ethical standards. Purism uses open-source software for its phones and laptops, which means that the software code is freely available for anyone to use and modify. This allows users to have more control over their devices and to support the development of open-source software. Purism's phones and laptops are designed to be as private as possible. The company uses a custom operating system called PureOS, which is based on the Linux operating system. PureOS is designed to be free from data collection and surveillance, and it includes a number of features that help to protect user privacy. Purism's smartphones, the Librem 5 and Librem 5 USA, are designed to be modular, which means that their components can be easily replaced. This makes it easier to repair the phones and to extend their lifespan. Purism is committed to transparency about its sourcing, manufacturing, and labor practices. The company publishes detailed reports on all of its operations, and it is open to feedback from its customers. While Purism's phones are not the cheapest on the market, they are more affordable than many other ethical smartphones. The company believes that people should not have to sacrifice their values to obtain a high-quality smartphone.

Here are some of the specific benefits of choosing a Purism device:
You are helping to reduce your environmental impact by choosing a device that is made with recycled materials. You are supporting fair labor practices by choosing a device that is made by workers who are paid a fair wage and have safe and healthy working conditions. You are getting a device that is free from data collection and surveillance, thanks to its open-source software and privacy-focused design. You are getting a device that is easy to repair and upgrade, thanks to its modular design. You are supporting a company that is committed to transparency and ethical business practices. If you are looking for an ethical and privacy-focused smartphone or laptop, then Purism is a great option.