Eco-Friendly Tech

Are you thinking about investing in eco-friendly tech? Or are you simply looking to find out about advancements in green technology? This is the post for you. I’ve been documenting kinder ways to live and dress here, and across that time, I’ve had to invest in a LOT of tech for my work. Yet it’s only now that I feel like truly green options are available! So, here’s a round-up of my favourite pieces of tech, their pros and cons, and where I hope the tech industry will go next…

What Is Eco-Friendly Tech?

Eco-friendly tech – also dubbed green tech, clean tech, environmental technology, and more – refers to any form of technology that is made more sustainably. It’s worth noting that there is no legal definition for the term ‘eco-friendly’, but the UK’s Green Claims Code is cracking down on green claims that do not have clear, substantial evidence of a product’s green credentials. In the technology field, eco-friendly tech predominantly refers to hardware, but there are a lot of eco-friendly advancements taking place in software, data storage, and even AI.

What To Look For In Eco-Friendly Tech

In the field of consumer tech, you may have noticed more eco-friendly options becoming available. However, it’s important to be able to understand the difference between genuinely sustainable options, and ones which may be a bit more surface-level. It’s also important to note that e-waste is the world’s fastest-growing waste stream, with less than 40% recycled. So in reality, the need for tech that respects people and the planet is long overdue.

When looking for eco-friendly tech, consider the following aspects:

• Production
• Materials
• Environmental impact
• Cost
• Efficiency
• End-of-life

For instance, it may be tempting to soon invest in a new mobile phone that benefits from the upcoming EU law that ensures batteries can be replaced. Sure, that might increase the lifecycle of the phone overall, but what about choosing a refurbished phone instead? Or how about keeping your old phone going, and getting a recycled case from Casely? Circular options reduce the demand for unethical labour, and new materials, and also stop items from going to landfills prematurely. A holistic look at a product’s sustainable credentials is key!

Eco-Friendly Tech collection, Reviewed

Razer Laptop Stand

Starting from the bottom, we have the Razer Mercury Laptop Stand. which traces and calculates the carbon impact of your purchase and provides you with the option to buy carbon credits at the checkout. While carbon offsetting isn’t anything new, the Restorify program is innovative, highlighting the exact carbon emissions associated with any given purchase. Let’s hope it gets more gamers thinking about not just touching grass, but also preserving it. 

Logitech Recycled Keyboard

Next, a little treat for the fingers. Logitech MX Mechanical Keyboard for Mac was a purchase made soon after the refurbished laptop and stand, to give a more ergonomic workstation, as well as a more satisfying typing experience. The MX Keyboard for Mac is a Bluetooth-enabled, battery-powered mechanical keyboard. It’s made with recycled plastic, low carbon aluminium, and is carbon offset by Logitech.

IKEA Rechargeable Batteries

A year ago IKEA came out with a new AA/AAA Rechargeable battery that was sporting some nice stats. A lot of people were skeptical at first but a few people gave them a try. It makes sense to be sceptical, they are $7 for a 4-pack.

71Ka0CzuXeL._SL1000_At first a lot of people figured the specs were a lie. When you consider that Eneloop Pro batteries are 2550mAh and cost nearly three times the price. So started to investigate the IKEA battery about 2 months ago. 

First, we should examine the specs of the IKEA batteries.

You can recharge these batteries approx. 500 times.

Voltage: 1.2v

Battery capacity: 2450 mAh.

Life: approx. 5 years.

If those specs look familiar it's because those are the specs for the Eneloop Pro batteries.

Where To Buy Eco-Friendly Tech Products

1. BackMarket: Second-hand marketplace for lots of tech goods.
2. BornGood: Refurbished laptops, computers, and more, all with a warranty.
3. Belkin*: Tech accessories made with Post-Consumer Recycled (PCR) materials.
4. CeX: Second-hand tech store on every major high street. Great for tech, games, and more!
5. eBay: Check out eBay’s new refurbished products, with 1-year guarantee across verified items.
6. GiffGaff: Reclaimed and refurbished mobile phones and handsets.
7. Herman Miller: Ergonomic desk chairs and office equipment built to last.
8. John Lewis*: Ethical department store selling tech products from all major brands.
9. Logitech: Tech accessories made with recycled materials.
10. Razer: Gaming products with Restorify carbon offsetting program.
11. Stoov: Ethically-made heat pads, chair covers, and more, that are eco-friendly and efficient.

Obstacles For Eco-Friendly Tech

This blog post wanted to highlight a few obstacles that could potentially play a part in stopping the tech industry from being as sustainable as it really should be…

Tech Is Advancing Too Quickly To Be Sustainable

Tech is one of the biggest industries to have grown over the last few decades. We’ve gone from brick-like mobile handsets to slim-line smart technology in just a few short years, and with that super-fast advancement comes huge investment and lots of corner-cutting. Why spend money on sustainability when your business is making money hand over fist? Except, oh yeah, the climate crisis.

New legislation, such as the Right to Repair Act, is helping to change that. Not only are products now going to be repairable, but they’ll also be monitored for planned obsolescence.

Tech Includes More Than Hardware

In this round-up, I’ve only focused on hardware. That’s partly because I would be here all day explaining every single piece of software I use if I were to include it here, but also because the impact of software is practically hidden from view. That being said, everything we do online has a carbon impact. Even sending a single email will add carbon into our atmosphere. It’s why sustainable data centres and carbon offsetting for social media exist. It feels difficult to simply rationalise that typing this here is creating a negative impact on the environment so it makes sense that much of the tech industry has removed itself from its obligations to people and the planet until now.