Today, smartphones play a vital role in our lives, providing convenience and connection. However, this convenience has led to environmental consequences due to the electronic waste produced. With the increasing demand for new devices, there is a parallel increase in the number of discarded devices and waste. In a bid to counter this menace, Human Mobile Devices (HMD) embarked on a drive to ensure that their devices remain environmentally friendly and sustainably so.
HMD approach encompasses the entire lifecycle of their devices. In short, the tech company creates long-lasting devices, extends their usage, and utilizes recycled materials in a sustainable manner which means they can be used for longer.
How they do it.
HMD Repair
The number one reason people get rid of their phones is because they can’t be repaired, or spare parts are too expensive. However, HMD recently announced that they are making phones that can be easily repaired at home.
By making it possible for customers to purchase tools and spare parts from iFixit that can enable one to self-repair. These includes parts like batteries, broken screens, bent charging ports, and scratched back covers. They also offer free-to-access repair guides for their devices. While this initiative is currently available in Western markets only, we look forward to its potential availability closer to home.
HMD Reuse
HMD has embarked on a move to refurbish old phones rather than letting them end up in dump sites as electronic waste. The phone manufacturer ensures that all refurbished phones are thoroughly tested to perform as well as new ones, and they even provide a one-year warranty to customers.
Recycle
The phone manufacturer has been recycling at every level to ensure that their manufacturing is as sustainable as possible. They do this by reusing raw materials and even entire working parts as well as the packaging of their phones.
The Nokia X30 5G is the most eco-friendly phone yet, with a unibody chassis made from reclaimed aluminum and a back made from recycled plastic. The packaging is also eco-friendly, being made from recycled paper.
Trade-Ins
Once in a while, we all want to upgrade to a new phone but what do you do with the old one? In some regions, HMD allows one to trade in their old phone for a new one which qualifies one for a discount on the new device. These old devices are then recycled or disposed properly.
All these initiatives by HMD have made a positive contribution in reducing the amount of electronic waste in our dumpsites. This saw them attain a Platinum EcoVadis 2023 Sustainability Rating for the second year running. The company emerged in the top 1% of businesses and 98 percent of companies audited for their commitment to sustainable practices in the manufacturing of communications equipment.
EcoVadis, is the world’s largest and most trusted provider of business sustainability ratings, are evidence based and cover four sustainability themes: Environment, Labour and Human Rights, Ethics and Sustainable Procurement.