11 Sustainable & Eco-Friendly Phone Cases for Conscious Calls
Hold the phone!
Our busy lives see us moving around constantly, with our cell phones constantly attached to us.
It seems like new phones hit the market every other week, so phone cases also have to keep up with the rapid pace—which makes buying eco-friendly phone cases all the more important.
Don’t get us wrong. Phone cases are a good thing, both to protect your investment—phones aren’t cheap anymore, after all—and prevent e-waste associated with broken old electronics.
Unfortunately, most cases are mass-produced in unethical factories with even less eco-friendly materials (virgin plastics and leather from unknown sources).
So to cover our bases (and communication devices), we’ve sourced the best sustainable phone cases for more conscientious calls.
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Our Top Picks For The Best Sustainable Phone Cases
If you’re in a rush for mobile protection, Pela Case’s biodegradable eco-friendly phone cell phone cases offer the widest variety for various models.
For colors, customization, AND compostability, you’ll have a good time looking through all the options for compostable cases at AGood Company.
Heed the call of the ocean and dive into Popsicase’s Mediterranean Sea Collection for recycled plastic phone cases made from fishing nets.
For more on what we looked for to make your iPhone case eco-friendly, scroll to the end of the article (or catch the highlights in our video below).
The Full List of Sustainable Phone Case Brands
Compostable Phone Cases
Biodegradable Phone Cases
Recycled Phone Cases
Compostable Phone Cases
1. Wave Case
Wave Case’s Eco-Friendly Phone Cases UK
Price Range: $31–$32
If you love minimalist aesthetics and vibrant colors, Wave Case makes the best biodegradable phone cases in the UK.
Each case is made of wheat straw, PLA, and PBAT—all biodegradable materials.
While slim enough to slide in your pocket (with wireless charging compatibility), the corner bumpers, raised edges, and grippy texture will ensure your phone maximum shock absorbing capabilities.
They’re available for most phone models: iPhones 6-14 including Pro and Max sizes, Samsung Galaxy, Samsung S/SE20-S22, and Google Pixel 6.
We love the smooth but slightly textured feel of the case, that not only provides extra grippiness but a little tactile satisifaction (as if we needed more reasons to reach for out phones!).
About Wave Case
A UK-based company started by three friends who saw the impact of ocean waste in their community, Wave Case was built on the concept of diverting plastic pollution and turning it into a functional and fashionable accessory.
Their plastic-free packaging is just as biodegradable as the products, featuring 100% recycled and recycled cardboard.
As members of 1% for the Planet, each purchase helps support Surfers Against Sewage and comes delivered via carbon-neutral shipping thanks to their collaboration with Climate Partner.
2. Pela
Pela’s Eco Phone Cases
Price Range: $60–$70
Pela Case has established itself well as one of the best eco-friendly phone case brands.
Their cases fit just about every phone made in the last ten years. That includes eco-friendly phone cases for iPhone 14 Pro Max all the way down to iPhone 5, Samsung Galaxy S9-S22 Ultra, Google Pixel 4-7 Pro, Huawei P50 and P50 Pro, and OnePlus 9.
The Pela phone case is made of Flaxstic, a compostable bioplastic elastomer made from leftover flax straw.
This material is free from BPA, phthalates, heavy metals, and meets the child safety standards of all major developed countries.
These cases may look slim, but the soft and flexible (or should we say flaxible?) material is hardy enough for your butter fingers. Having previously owned and tested a Pela case for a couple of years we can vouch for its shock absorbency.
There’s ample variety in color and design with optional etched graphics.
Just note that because the material is porous, lighter colored cases can absorb potent dyes, (such as dark wash denim).
These compostable phone cases have an estimated period of biodegradation of 45-60 days in industrial facilities and up to two years in a home indoor compost bin. As such, we don’t recommend tossing them in with the rest of your organic matter.
Our Pela case is now a few years old and we’re happy to say that it is breaking down into small pieces fairly easily (outside of a compostable environment).
If you have no access to compost, fear not. They’re also recyclable iPhone cases.
Mail your old or unwanted cases of any brand (even plastic ones) back through the Pela 360 program to be remade into future cases or properly composted/recycled.
About Pela Case
Pela Case was founded by Canadian Jeremy Lang. Raised in Saskatchewan.
He saw how the leftover flax straw after harvests was burned, so he came up with the idea of turning flax waste into a useful product.
While this Certified B Corp tries to keep its supply chain local in Canada (like their Saskatchewan engraver and injection molder), they do outsource some operations to fair wage factories in Hong Kong to actually produce each ethical phone case.
As a Climate Neutral Certified business, their Impact Report details the work they’ve done and future plans to further reduce their environmental impact.
As a 1% for the Planet member, Pela gives back by donating at least 1% of their sales to clean ocean initiatives such as Surfrider, Save the Waves, and Oceana.
3. AGood Company
AGood Company’s Natural Phone Cases
Price Range: $20–$40
Cheap eco-friendly phone cases that are climate positive?
Sounds like a darn good idea from AGood Company.
These “farm to case” plant-based phone cases begin their journey at local organic linseed farms and, using only farming byproducts, become something to keep your smartphone safe.
Each one is Vegan Society-certified and printed with water-based inks into lovely design patterns—some of which are created through partnerships with local artists.
At 1.2 mm thick, they’re slim and feature a screen-safe raised edge. The feel is hardier than Pela’s case though and without the same level of give, so shock absorbency wise we probably wouldn’t say it’s as effective. Something to bear in mind if you drop your phone often!
They offer almost every size of iPhone (iPhone 6 onward) as well as a variety of Samsung models: A20, A30, A50, S20-S22 (Plus and Ultra inclusive), Flip 2022, and Fold 2022.
At end-of-life, you can either compost these cases at home or recycle them via the A Good Loop program and get a new one in exchange.
About AGood Company
This Swedish sustainable phone case brand aims to “transform mindless consumption into conscious decisions” through their eco-friendly stationery and pens, bathroom products, and reusables.
All of this is localized in a Swedish factory that reuses water and runs on solar as well as hydropower.
As a carbon negative Certified B Corp, transparency is vital. All suppliers, working conditions, and materials used are visible to the public, and their Impact Report highlights their efforts to reduce their carbon footprint.
They support a multitude of varying charities through A Good Foundation, like dental services and clean drinking water to those in need.
4. CASETiFY
CASETiFY’s Compostable Phone Cases
Price Range: $58–$98
CASETiFY’s compostable phone cases are made with ecotify™, a blend of plant-based biopolymers and starch with a bamboo particle texture finish.
They’re 100% compostable, but will need to break down in an industrial environment. If you don’t have access to one, send it back to them for proper composting.
Speaking of sending back, their Re/CASETiFY cases are made of 65% recycled and plant-based materials from recycled plastic phone cases. That means you can also recycle any old cell phone case through them.
The other 35% is currently virgin plastic, but they aim to use 100% recycled plastic by 2026.
These BPA and phthalate-free sustainable cases fit iPhones 7-14 Pro Max, Samsung Galaxy models S20–S22 Ultra, Galaxy Z Flip, and Fold, as well as Google Pixel 6 & 7/Pro.
Each one comes with a drop-distance rating—so you can buy the right case for however buttery your fingers are.
The best part is the variety of colors and prints available (each printed with non-toxic ink), like this stamped passport inspired lets travel…where to case. Many are a result of artist or influencer collaborations.
About CASETiFY
CASETiFY makes a good case…for your cell phone, iPad, or Macbook, that is.
These cases are made in ISO14001-certified facilities that utilize rainwater collection and recycling systems.
Eco-friendly shipping materials include 100% recycled and recyclable paper printed with soy ink.
They also know how to do good with each case, since a portion of proceeds from different collections are donated to various charities, including The Malala Fund and Sad Girls Club mental health NGO.
For every case purchased, they also plant one tree.
5. EcoBlvd
EcoBlvd’s Eco Phone Cases
Price Range: $45–$60
With nearly 80 design options, EcoBlvd is certainly a good spot to sight-see a gorgeous collection of compostable iPhone cases made from InnoMaize™ and CornBo™ (cornstarch, sugar, bamboo bark, and bamboo fiber).
If you still can’t find a case that speaks to your personal style, you can take advantage of their customizable options for optimum self-expression.
For sizes, you’ll find sustainable phone cases, iPhone 12 onward.
Lost your wall eco charger?
Replace it with the 100% recycled dual-port PowerPlant.
About EcoBlvd
EcoBlvd is based in the USA and ships nationwide, as well as to Canada.
All products are designed and printed in Los Angeles and made in a family-owned factory in China.
Every purchase comes with a prepaid shipping label for you to take advantage of their recycling program to turn any old phone case into a recyclable phone case.
Send in cases as well as chargers and cables, and you’ll receive 25% off your next purchase.
All packaging is 100% recyclable, biodegradable, and plastic-free.
As members of 1% for the Planet, they believe in going a step further by committing 2% of all profits to non-profit organizations such as Ocean Conservancy, Mojave Desert Land Trust, and National Forest Foundation.
6. The Sparkle Case
The Sparkle Case’s Sustainable iPhone Cases
Price Range: $18
This brand may carry a smaller collection, but that’s because The Sparkle Case can create a made-to-order sustainable phone case—iPhone 11-14 and pretty much any other iPhone model.
Their variety of graphic designs have a retro vibe and are printed with eco-friendly ink—like the “Stay Groovy” case.
Make sure to keep away from darker clothes or purses, as the natural texture of the cases can absorb the dyes.
About The Sparkle Case
A small business based in California, they boast over 13,000 five-star reviews, meaning it pays to think sustainably in the tech industry.
To make these eco-friendly phone cases accessible to all by offering free shipping to the USA, UK, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Australia, and New Zealand.
The Sparkle Case also makes iPad case covers as well, though they aren’t compostable.
Biodegradable Cases For Cell Phones
7. MMORE
MMORE’s Biodegradable Phone Cases
Price Range: $27–$60
If you’re looking for the best biodegradable iPhone case, MMORE is giving us a little something more with scented cases—how’s that for a cell-ing point?!
It may make you a bit more inclined to answer those unknown phone calls just to get a whiff of smells like lavender, coffee grinds, or forest moss.
How does it work?
The organic material is pressed into the back of the flax and PLA bioplastic case and sealed with a sugar-based resin, making the scents last for up to three months. So it won’t last forever, but it certainly adds to the excitement of getting a new phone case.
These unique plant-based phone cases are 0.3 mm thin and produced in an SGS-certified non-toxic environment. They also feature a hepatic texture that is soothing to the touch.
Their range covers iPhone 5 to 14 Pro Max, Samsung S5-S22, and some Google Pixels, in both solid colors and nature-inspired designs, like the Honey Bee. Some offer personalized text engraving, too.
About MMORE
Every case is handmade in Slovenia by a small team with a passion for combining tech and nature. Be sure to check out their FSC Certified wood phone cases, as well.
By offering a recycling program for all their phone cases, they ensure the proper separation of parts for composting and recycling to minimize waste.
In addition to biodegradable eco phone cases, offer zero waste packaging in 100% recyclable cardboard boxes and plant a tree for every purchase.
8. Reveal
Reveal’s Ecological Phone Cases
Price Range: $14–$35
For a softer, more supple feel, Reveal makes eco-friendly iPhone cases out of bamboo, hardwoods, and cork fabric, deemed “the new leather”—a vegan and cruelty-free one, that is.
Some bear only the classic, all-natural grain look while others have a more eclectic twist, with either colored graphics or brightly colored resin swirls filling natural burls and knots, as in the Nature Fusion Series.
While not every style fits all phone models, you can find biodegradable iPhone cases for models like SE,X/XR/XS, 6, 6S, 7, 8, 11, 12, and 13 in mini, pro, plus, and max sizes.
If you’re looking for an eco-friendly dustproof phone case, opt for their wooden folio style cases instead, which have a full, flip-open screen cover and built-in stand.
About Reveal
Founded by Terry Omata, Reveal makes a variety of other sustainable electronics, too, like solar-powered carbon fiber speakers (with recycled fabric speaker covers), bamboo Bluetooth keyboards, and carbon and bamboo earbuds.
With their rePlant Program, they plant a tree through American Forests for every product purchased.
9. Woodcessories
Woodcessories’ Eco-Friendly Phone Cases Samsung & iPhone
Price Range: $23—$25
Though Woodcessories does design wood products, their shock-absorbing organic phone cases are made from wheat, straw, and organic plastic, allowing them to be recycled or biodegrade.
They’re lined with vegan fabric to prevent scratches to the back of your phone and have a slightly raised frame to protect the front screen and camera lenses.
This brand offers eco-friendly phone cases for Samsung and iPhone users, including iPhones 6-14 Pro Max and Samsung Galaxy S10-S22 Ultra.
They take a minimalist approach offering a select few colors, but when it comes to cases, it’s about quality not quantity.
About Woodcessories
Woodcessories ensures their products are QUALITY – REACH-tested and free from BPA, so they don’t leave any toxins behind when they biodegrade.
You’ll find other eco-friendly materials used in their range of AirPod cases, laptop stands, and charging accessories, such as recycled aluminum, biodegradable kraft paper, and wood.
For every purchase, they plant a tree and remain Carbon Neutral-certified.
Recycled Cell Phone Cases
10. Popsicase
Popsicase’s Recycled Plastic Phone Cases
Price Range: $33—$37
What do popsicles and Popsicase have in common?
They both have handles!
These phone cases made of recycled plastic are quite handy indeed, thanks to their innovative built-in sliding selfie stick.
Made from 100% recycled ocean plastic (namely fishing nets) and scrap aluminum, they cover iPhone devices from iPhone SE 2022 and 6-12 (Plus, Pro, and Max inclusive).
Explore their artistic collaboration collections, where designs range from textures of the earth to sea motifs. Purchases from these collections support NGOs like Mission Blue, which helps conserve ocean biodiversity.
About Popsicase
Founded and 100% made in Barcelona, Spain, Popsicase’s recycled cell phone cases are the result of necessity, as so many other great inventions are.
Because the 100% recycled material can also be recycled again, they run a recycling program by collecting old Popsicase covers to reuse all the material to create a new one. Receive a 25% discount on your new phone case by sending in your old one.
As a result, this startup is REVIVACK-certified, as well as recognized by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, goCircular Pass, and the European Circular Economy Stakeholder Platform.
They offer free shipping to most of Europe and affordable shipping to both the US and Asia, all of which will be carbon offset.
11. Skate4create
Skate4create’s Recycled Skateboard Phone Cases Canada
Price Range: $52
If you couldn’t tell, we love phone cases made from recycled materials, and with Skate4create, you get a truly unique, sustainable design.
Their recycled phone cases are made out of upcycled Canadian maple skateboards. This is combined with a black polycarbonate bumper, which needs to be removed in order to compost the rest.
Even if you’re not a skateboarder, these colorful phone cases sport stripes and striations amid the natural wood grain. This effect comes from skateboard manufacturers dying each layer of wood a different color.
You’ll find nearly every phone covered in their offerings. Choose from iPhone 6-14 with mini, plus, pro/max included, X, XS/Max, XR, and SE 2020/2022. For Samsung, there’s Galaxy S8 Plus to Galaxy S22 Ultra. Google options consist of Pixel 4XL, 5, and 6/A/Pro.
About Skate4Create
Shop owner and creator, Dominykas Kelmelis, is an avid skateboarder living in Vilnius, Lithuania. He founded this small shop to bring together his passion for skateboarding, recycling, and art.
Eco phone cases aside, he also makes skateboards into jewelry and other accessories.
A local team manages every aspect of the business in house in Vilnius.
Most materials are sourced from friends, skate shops, and skate parks to keep nearly two million skateboards from ending up in landfill every year.
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Making the Case For Environmentally-Friendly Phone Cases
What’s all the buzz about sustainable phone cases?
Hint: it isn’t your phone vibrating.
It’s high time we call out tech companies for their flimsy designs and planned obsolescence, which result in the average person upgrading their cell phone every two years.
Every upgrade means new accessories like chargers, cables, and phone cases—sometimes multiple for those who like to use cases as a means of self-expression.
And each time we upgrade our phone, we downgrade the environment by improperly recycling electronic waste (e-waste) and tossing old associated accessories into the bin where they take hundreds of years to break down.
By adopting a sustainable technology philosophy where we emphasize repairing instead of replacing, we can demonstrate that we want sustainable solutions, both in the form of ethical electronics themselves and their accessories.
Phone cases may be a tiny step toward making the tech sector more sustainable, but it is a step, nonetheless, towards sustainable living. Small steps collectively make a great impact.
How We Chose The Best Eco-Friendly Phone Cases
Phone cases are a bit like clothing accessories, so it seems appropriate that we judge them with similar criteria as sustainable and ethical fashion.
Namely, we want to see companies making a sustainable product as well as operating sustainably.
The most important thing to consider for a phone case is what it’s made with, which determines its end-of-life outcome.
Hey Siri, what are eco-friendly phone cases made of?
We broke up our list into three main categories of eco-friendly materials for sustainable phone cases:
Bioplastics:
Short for biodegradable plastics, these are plastic-like cases made from plant-based fibers. The most common types are made from corn starch, straw, flax, wheat, and bamboo.
While we love to see a phone case made from plants they don’t always break down faster than plastic, as purely natural materials may be coated and processed within petroleum based inputs.
Read up on the differences between biodegradable and compostable and look for the manufacturer’s specs on end-of-life disposal before buying one of these cases.
If they don’t specify it’s home compostable, don’t toss it in the backyard pile.
Also pay attention to other components, like bumpers and lining materials. Bumpers can be made of things like rubber and TPE. If it’s natural rubber, it can be composted, but if not, you’ll still have to disassemble the case.
Cork:
Purely natural materials make for the best eco-friendly phone cases because they will safely biodegrade and return to the earth in a reasonable amount of time (AKA they’re usually compostable).
Cork phone cases fit that bill to a T (Mobile).
Not only are they totally compostable, but also renewable, since cork is harvested by shaving bark from cork trees, a process that can be repeated every decade or so.
This process also helps fight climate change because each time the tree has to regrow its bark, it consumes CO2 to do so.
Bamboo:
Bamboo fabric has been getting lots of buzz, both positive and negative, leaving many people asking, “Are bamboo phone cases sustainable?”
As with most things made of bamboo, the answer depends.
As long as it’s sustainably harvested from well-managed forests that don’t contribute to the endangerment of animals (namely pandas), then yes, the type of bamboo used in phone cases is sustainable.
It doesn’t require toxic plasticizers (as bamboo-derived viscose fabrics used in clothing production does) and is a fast-growing, minimally water consumptive, and highly carbon consumptive crop.
Hardwoods:
Look for those either sourced from reclaimed lumber, storm-damaged or diseased trees, or that come from responsibly managed forests.
A sustainable forestry certification can help you pick out these companies.
While hardwoods are natural, many of the cases are not immediately compostable. You would need to remove additional components and chip it into much smaller pieces—and that’s providing it doesn’t have an epoxy or some other non-natural resin coating.
Recycled materials:
Ever wonder, “Can phone cases be recycled?”
They sure can, AND they can be recycled back into new phone cases made of recycled materials.
We can’t take the plastic back that’s already been produced, but we can reuse and upcycle it into beautiful recycled phone cases. While these are often still plastic, it’s better to make use of plastic waste already polluting our planet and oceans.
What about screen protectors?
If you’re the type of person that manages to drop their phone perfectly face down and shatter their screen even with a case, you might want to double your protection with a screen protector.
Instead of getting a flimsy plastic one (which really only protects against scratches anyway), invest in a tempered glass screen protector. These are far more crack-resistant, and they’re fully recyclable.
Other sustainable cell phone criteria:
Aside from eco-friendly cell phone case materials, we look for companies making ethical phone cases in safe environments and for fair wages. Unfortunately, the industry lacks a lot of transparency here still
Even the most sustainable cases still have a manufacturing impact, so we like brands that take that into account, whether with closed-loop processes, carbon offset programs, and renewable energy.
- Certifications: International Organization for Standardization (ISO 14001), Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation, and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH), SGS
Final Thoughts On Eco-Friendly Cell Phone Cases
No one likes replacing their phone. Nor do they like deciphering a text message through a shattered screen.
Switching to environmentally friendly phone cases will not only save case waste, but tech waste, too, as they can greatly extend the life of your phone.
A win for your sustainable wallet and the planet.
But of course, always use what you have first. After all, the best sustainable phone cases are those that already exist.
If you broke your old case or simply upgraded to a new phone that no longer fits it, turn to these brands—especially since many also offer the option to recycle phone cases you no longer need.
If you know someone who has butter fingers, put out a call to action by sharing this list with them. The longer we can keep our phones alive, the less we’ll be contributing to e-waste.
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Hi, i have been looking for a sustainable iPad case for a 9.5″ iPad. Any ideas?
thanks
Hi Lori, afraid I’m not across all the models that these brands provide cases for but CASETiFY make eco friendly cases for iPads, have you had a look at them?
Hi, I’m looking to buy wave case but I have some odd restrictions as far as the types of packages I can reliably receive at my residence (I’ll save you the boring details). Would you able to tell me what kind of package this product would be shipped in?
Hi Ken, I’m sorry I don’t know so probably best to reach out to Wave case directly. Cheers!