It is estimated that in 2023, around 1.34 billion smartphones were sold worldwide. A large part of these consumers also probably bought a phone case to protect their precious device from damage.
It's a great idea to purchase something to keep our electronics safe, but most phone cases on the market are made of plastic. It means that billions of phone cases will stay on the planet for hundreds of years, if not more.
What's worse, most of them are poorly made and don’t last long, which isn't surprising given that phone cases can cost as little as a dollar. Poor-quality phone cases will not only become waste fairly quickly, but they are also less likely to protect your device as they should.
For those reasons, we should all invest in a high-quality, sustainable phone case to make sure our phones stay intact and protected from everyday drops and bumps.
If you are looking for a new one, we have selected nine brands that sell well-made, eco-friendly phone cases.
Cover Image: Pela
Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliated; we may earn a small commission if you click through and make a purchase. We only feature brands that align with our values and contribute to a better world. Thank you for supporting these brands - and us!
What Makes a Phone Case Eco-Friendly?
A sustainable phone case is always very sturdy, high-quality and made to last. It usually consists of sustainable materials and should withstand more than just a few months of use.
It should also protect your device from drops and bumps because no phone case is eco-friendly if it does not prevent your phone from breaking and becoming e-waste. E-waste is very toxic when discarded inappropriately and causes many environmental issues, so we certainly do not need more of it.
If the company that sells the phone cases is climate-neutral or a certified B Corporation, even better!
What Sustainable Materials Should You Look For?
There are many eco-friendly materials that you can choose when looking for a new phone case.
You cannot go wrong with a phone case made from natural materials, like sustainably harvested wood, cork or bamboo. Those are compostable at the end of their life, so they will not stay on the planet forever.
You can also find phone cases made from bioplastic derived from plants, like straw, or ones crafted from recycled materials. For example, some parts use recycled silicone or aluminum, while the main body of the phone case is often made from recycled plastic.
Brands are now able to create phone cases made with all kinds of recycled plastic, from recycled fishing nets to recycled plastic bottles to recycled TPU. Some brands even sell cases made using old CDs, upcycled skateboards or simply discarded phone cases.
Also, prefer phone cases produced using non-toxic and sustainable glues, lining and adhesives.
Our Top Picks for Eco-Friendly Phone Cases:
1. Pela
Materials: Compostable “Plastic” Flaxstic®
Price: $42 - 60
Founded in 2008 in Hawaii, Pela is probably the most renowned brand that makes compostable phone cases. It has also diversified its products by offering smartwatch bands, wallets, glasses and other phone accessories.The brand has a huge selection of phone cases, available in a wide variety of colors and patterns. Pela cases can fit various phone models, including most iPhones and many Samsung phones, as well as Google Pixels and some Huawei models.
These sustainable phone cases are soft to the touch and flexible, and they have a grippy texture to prevent you from dropping them. Some cases feature a built-in cardholder, making them even more practical for daily use.
Pela cases use Flaxstic®, a blend of flax straw materials and compostable bioplastic elastomer. They're also 100% safe for your health, as tests show they're free of phthalates, BPA, lead, and cadmium.
The material meets US and EU standards for industrial composting but can also be composted at home. The brand also ships its products with minimal packaging.
Compared to phone cases made of conventional plastic, Pela cases generate 80% less waste, and their production process uses 34% less water and releases 30% fewer carbon emissions into the atmosphere.
Pela is very transparent about its whole carbon footprint. The company offsets it entirely, which is why it became climate-neutral certified. Pela is also a member of 1% For The Planet, and it is a certified B Corporation.
2. EcoBlvd
Materials: Bioplastic, Plant-Based Materials, Corn, Bamboo
Price: $45 - 55
EcoBlvd was founded to combine backgrounds in contemporary and couture design with a passion for reducing plastic waste and renewing the planet. They aim to bridge the gap between luxury aesthetics and accessible, affordable products with eco-friendly, compostable phone cases, chargers, and charging cables.
EcoBlvd's extensive collection of phone cases features runway-inspired and signature designs.
Their cases are currently only available for iPhones, but they expect to expand to Samsung and other devices shortly.
Their clear Laguna and solid Sequoia phone cases use InnoMaize™, a compostable, plant-based plastic made from cornstarch, sugar, bamboo, and vegetable fibers.
EcoBlvd's phone cases feature raised edges with a smooth, flexible design that provides a sturdy and non-slip grip. They provide 6FT drop protection and provide maximum shock resistance.
EcoBlvd is a proud member of 1% for the Planet, donating 2% of all profits to the National Forest Foundation, Mojave Desert Land Trust, and The Ocean Conservancy.
As for packaging, they only use necessary materials and reduce waste using FSC-certified recycled paper from ethical suppliers.
They offer free ground shipping on all orders and EcoCart and ShopPay carbon-neutral checkout options.
Each order includes a free pre-paid shipping label, allowing you to return plastic cases and charging accessories for recycling, composting, or proper disposal. They also offer a discount when they receive your old items!
3. CASETiFY
Materials: Recycled Plastic, Bioplastic, Bamboo, Leather
Price: $48 - 112
CASETiFY sells all kinds of cases to protect phones, iPads, MacBooks and AirPods, as well as other tech accessories.
Its phone cases fit most iPhone models, ranging from the iPhone 7 to the iPhone SE and iPhone 16 Pro Max. CASETiFY also has phone cases for many Samsung Galaxy models, as well as for the Google Pixel 6 (and 6 Pro).
The brand has a huge selection of vibrant, unique and fun designs and colors. You even get to customize many of the models if you want to!
They’re not only cool and stylish, but also made with sustainable materials. For example, CASETiFY’s Impact and Ultra Impact phone cases use 50% recycled plastic and are produced in ISO 14001-certified facilities.
In 2021, the brand launched its Re/CASETiFY collection. It consists of phone cases made from 65% recycled and plant-based materials, using bioplastic, used phone cases and manufacturing plastic scraps. So far, the brand has recycled over 51,000 old phone cases as part of its Re/CASETiFY program.
CASETiFY also has compostable phone cases made from a blend of biopolymers, starch and bamboo. These are 100% compostable and made with non-toxic, eco-friendly inks. And the brand plants one tree for every compostable phone case sold!
The brand regularly donates parts of its proceeds to social justice organizations.
4. Wave
Materials: Wheat Straw
Price: $33 - 47
Wave is a small British brand that creates sustainable phone cases and other everyday accessories for when you are on the go.
The brand’s phone cases are all very affordable and can fit most iPhone models, from the iPhone 6 to the iPhones XR and 16 Pro Max. You can also get a Wave phone case to protect your Samsung Galaxy, as it is available for most models (up to the Samsung Galaxy S21+).
Each Wave phone case uses a biodegradable material made from wheat straw. As a result, there are small flecks on the case, making it even more unique and beautiful.
The brand has a large variety of designs and many vibrant colors. Some cases feature gorgeous patterns such as sea turtles, leaves, flowers or bees. Perfect to add personality to your phone!
Wave phone cases have shock-absorbing corners to protect your device from accidental drops and bumps. Your screen and camera are also entirely safe thanks to a 2mm lip that you have around each case. The slightly matte texture offers an excellent grip to make sure you hold your phone firmly.
At the end of its life, you can return your Wave phone case to the company for composting or recycling. And when you do so, you get a 20% discount code on your new case!
The brand also ships all its products in plastic-free mailers, all made of recycled cardboard.
5. Nimble
Materials: Recycled Polycarbonate, Recycled Silicone, Recycled TPU
Price: $27
Nimble is an American brand selling sustainable and ethically made chargers, phone cases and other tech accessories.
Available in different colors, the company’s phone cases can fit the iPhone 13 and 13 Pro, the iPhone 13 Pro Max, the iPhone 13 Mini, as well as iPhones 11 and 12.
Nimble cases are either made from recycled polycarbonate, recycled silicone, old phone cases and recycled PTU, or from 100% recycled compact discs.
Tested to protect your phone from drops and bumps, Nimble phone cases have a non-slip texture, and they are designed with a hard protective shell and impact-absorbing outer band. Designed to last for years, they are also sold with a two-year warranty.
The brand is very transparent about how its products are made and where, and who its suppliers are. Its plastic-free packaging is made from recycled scrap paper printed with water-based inks.
Nimble also includes a biodegradable bag with every product sold. It has a free pre-paid shipping label, and you can use it to send your old tech items so that they can get recycled. Thanks to it, the company has recycled over 20,000 pounds of e-waste, phone cases and compact discs to date.
Nimble is a certified B Corporation and a member of 1% For The Planet. It is also climate-neutral certified since it offsets its entire carbon footprint.
6. Incipio
Materials: Recycled Plastic,Plant-Based Materials
Price: $30 - 35
Incipio is an American brand that sells a wide variety of phone cases and other accessories for smartphones and tablets.
The brand has different eco-friendly options: it was one of the first companies to create a compostable line of phone cases. Incipio’s compostable case, the Organicore, is made with a blend of 100% composted plant and bio-based materials.
The Organicore delivers 8 ft. of drop protection, and its textured side grips are designed so that you can hold your phone firmly without dropping it. The phone case features a raised-edge bezel to protect your phone screen and camera lenses from impacts on uneven surfaces.
The Organicore is available for most recent iPhones, including the iPhone SE and the iPhone 13, as well as for the Samsung Galaxy S20, S20 Ultra and S21. It comes with a lifetime warranty, and Incipio plants one tree for every Organicore case sold.
For a more in-depth review of this sustainable phone case, check our full blog post about the Organicore on Sustainably Chic!
If you want another eco-friendly alternative, you could also choose Incipio’s latest collection of phone cases, all made from recycled plastic. Those are designed for iPhones 13, 13 Mini, 13 Pro and 13 Pro Max, and they provide 12 ft. of drop protection.
Incipio has partnered with Close The Loop to take back and recycle your old phone cases.
7. Native Union
Materials: Leather, Recycled TPU, Recycled Microfiber, Recycled Polycarbonate, Silicone
Price: $40 - 60
Native Union sells all types of tech accessories, from wireless chargers to speakers to phone cases.
You can choose from a large selection of high-quality phone cases that can fit iPhones 11 to iPhones 13 (including iPhones Mini, Pro and Pro Max).
Most of them have classic and stylish designs, but some also feature brighter colors and fun patterns, like little foxes. You even get to customize some models if you want to have a unique phone case!
Not all Native Union’s phone cases are made using sustainable materials, but the majority are. For instance, many models are made from recycled TPU and recycled microfiber.
The brand also sells phone cases that are crafted with certified genuine Italian leather. The leather is sourced from a supplier that was Gold-rated by the Leather Working Group and certified by Blue Angel. Built to last, these leather phone cases are also made with recycled polycarbonate.
Most Native Union cases can be bought with a compatible sling to prevent you from dropping your phone. You can also add a matching cardholder to some of the phone cases if you prefer leaving your bulky wallet at home and having everything you need in one place.
All the brand’s suppliers are ISO 14001-certified, and they regularly undergo ethical sourcing audits.
8. agood
Materials: Excess Production Material, Recycled Candy boxes & Recycled School Glasses, Flax, Hemp
Price: $25 - 45
agood Company is B Corp certified and provides a breakdown of the environmental footprint associated with each product.
They strive to be as sustainable as possible by using climate-neutral shipping, choosing environmentally-friendly raw materials, and responsibly packaging all products.
In addition, agood Company has initiated a plant-a-tree program with WeForest and a foundation to support sustainability efforts in communities around the globe.
Furthermore, with agood loop™, their circular system, they allow you to exchange your old case for a new one. They recycle your old case's materials for future production, ensuring zero waste.
9. Skate4Create
Materials: Recycled Skateboards
Price: $26 - 59
Skate4Create is a unique and innovative independent studio and brand based in Vilnius, Lithuania. Operated by passionate skateboarders, they have been dedicated to breathing new life into old skateboards since 2014.
Their mission is driven by the staggering statistic that close to 2 million broken skateboard decks are discarded into landfills each year.
Skate4Create is committed to combating this wastage by collaborating with skateshops, skateparks, and skateboard communities to gather and recycle old boards, transforming them into high-quality, one-of-a-kind products.
Every item they offer is meticulously handcrafted from old, broken, snapped, or discarded skateboard decks - ensuring a second chance for each board and reducing environmental impact.
As they oversee every stage of the process, from collection to crafting, Skate4Create guarantees top-notch goods and an exceptional customer experience.
About the Author:
Eva Astoul is a French freelance writer, specializing in content related to sustainability, simple living, and a growth-focused healthy lifestyle.
She runs her own blog, Green With Less, to inspire people to live a more minimalist and sustainable life.
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