
Want to make more environmentally conscious choices when it comes to your digital gadgets? Read on…
Reducing our carbon footprints may seem like an overwhelming challenge at times, but making small changes to how we use our smartphones and tablets could actually have a significant cumulative impact.
Longer life
New smartphones and tablets rely on various metals extracted from the earth, which isn’t great for the environment or the workers who mine them. So it makes sense to make our gadgets last as long as possible.
“Our current use of the earth’s resources is unsustainable so we need to move to an economy where electronic devices are used for longer through software upgrades and repairs,” says Emma Kidd, Vodafone’s UK Environment Manager.
“To make a real difference, buy a refurbished phone and keep it for as long as possible.”
Extending the life of your phone isn’t as hard as you might think. For example, Vodafone’s EVO plans include Battery Refresh as one of its many benefits – the ability to upgrade your battery when it starts losing its oomph.
For other issues, such as cracked screens, a Vodafone Insurance plan can provide cover with next-day replacement. Or your local Vodafone store can advise you on your repair options.
Smartphone battery tips
Eking out the most usage time from your smartphone battery between charges also makes sense. Here are some useful tips:
- Lower your screen brightness.
- Turn on ‘dark mode’ (on phones with OLED screens).
- Turn off WiFi when you’re not on a WiFi network.
- Turn off ‘background refresh’ on non-urgent apps.
Be choosy when buying new devices
If you do want to buy a new phone, look for the Eco Rating label in one of our retail stores. This rating scores devices on criteria such as durability and recyclability and can help you make a more sustainable choice. And the good news is that the list of participating manufacturers is growing fast.
Alternatively, if you buy a refurbished device you could help save 50kg of carbon dioxide from being pumped into the atmosphere.
Keep your phone up-to-date
You can also increase the longevity of your device by ensuring you download all operating system and security updates as they become available. These will help keep your phone purring along like a well-tuned car. But not all manufacturers support their devices for the same number of years, so it’s worth checking this before you buy.