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Thanks to nostalgia and social media cleanses, dumb phones are making a comeback. But, are they sustainable?
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While it’s rare to see a person without a phone that can do it all— send emails, take HD photos, offer GPS navigation, monitor your health, manage calendars, etc. —some of us remember a time when phones had one primary function: make a phone call. Dubbed “dumb phones”, for their seemingly simple features, they were actually far from it when they first debuted. They’re screens weren’t fancy, but the technology to make calls and send texts with a device we can keep in our pockets revolutionized communication.
Now, as movements take root to step away from some of the advanced features of smartphones, namely social media, and minimize e-waste, people are looking to the past to invest in dumb phones for a greener future. But, the question remains, are they actually more sustainable than smartphones?
The Birth of a Phone: Raw Materials
Everything we make begins with the Earth’s resources. Whether they’re dumb or smart, phones are no different. Precious metals and elements like gold, silver, copper, and cobalt must first be mined before a phone’s production. And, just like other industries, the way these resources are extracted can have negative social and environmental impacts, especially when extracted on a large scale.
For instance, look at the mineral cobalt. Seventy percent of the world’s cobalt comes from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), which is home to one of the world’s three remaining tropical rainforests. Instead of protecting this vital ecosystem, the quest for cobalt has seen vast deforestation, to the tune of an estimated 100 million trees in counting. Because cobalt is a known carcinogen and radioactive element, villages and towns close to the mines experience devastating impacts- water pollution, crop contamination, loss of fish, respiratory disorders, and birth defects. Unfortunately, this isn’t an isolated incidence, with reports of gold, copper, and other mines having equally devastating impacts.
To date, phone manufacturer companies don’t disclose information about their supply chains and mines being verified by organizations such as Fair Trade. So, customers have no way of knowing whether or not the cobalt or copper used in their phone was sourced from a mine that recycled and filtered toxins from water waste or polluted local rivers. What we do know, is that compared to a dumb phone, smartphones generally need more raw materials because of their advanced cameras, bigger screens, and multiple sensors that demand complex parts. Dumb phones feature a simpler design and use fewer materials. So, their initial material footprint is most likely smaller.
Manufacturing and Energy Consumption
Of course, phones aren’t only precious metals and elements. They are also glass, plastics, and non-precious metals like aluminum. Turning these raw materials into a working phone requires a lot of energy. Factories hum with machines that shape, connect, and test tiny parts, while polluting massive amounts of CO2 and toxins into the air.
In 2022, it was estimated that smartphones generated 146 million tons of CO2 emissions, with most of it stemming from manufacturing and shipping. Their powerful chips, high-resolution screens, and layers of features add to their energy demand. Dumb phones have a simpler makeup and need fewer steps to put together. This often means less energy is used, since production lines are smaller.
Durability, Repairability, and Lifespan
Much like the high turnover of fast fashion, phone companies design products to become old quickly. This is called planned obsolescence. They want us to buy new things often. Smartphone companies are masters of this. New models come out every year. They offer tiny upgrades or cool new camera tricks. Ads make us feel like we need the latest one. This push to upgrade means working phones often get tossed aside and end up in landfills.
Dumb phones do not expose us to the same kind of pressure. They are not built for constant new features. Their job is to make calls and send texts. There is less hype telling us we need a newer model.
When your phone breaks, can you fix it easily? Thanks to recent laws, your local repair shop should have the screens, parts, and screws needed to fix your smartphone. This is good news, because smartphones are notoriously delicate with glass screens that crack easily when dropped. Many internal parts are packed tightly, which also makes them prone to damage. It’s why many smartphones have a shorter life or need frequent trips to the repair shop.
Dumb phones, on the other hand, have a tougher build. Their smaller screens are less likely to break. They might have a sturdy plastic casing. They are made for simple use, not for showing off fancy features. This focus on basic communication usually means they can take more bumps and drops.
The Rise of E-Waste
E-Waste is one of the fastest growing solid waste streams in the world. Lead is the leading substance released into the environment.
How often do you buy a new phone? In 2022, studies and surveys showed that 1 in 10 Americans get a new phone yearly, while a majority wait 2-3 years to replace their phones. The most common reason is worsening battery life. This contributed to 5 billion phones thrown away in 2022 and one of the fastest-growing areas of solid waste; e-waste. Every year, millions of electronics are thrown away. Due to the highly toxic nature of metals, plastics, and other materials used to make phones, e-waste is highly dangerous to local environments and children.
E-waste is such a threat to our well-being that governments have stepped in to prevent and regulate the industry. In 2021, President Joe Biden mandated that the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) make it easier for consumers to repair electronics through “the right to repair”. Following this, in 2023 New York passed a law ensuring that tools, parts, and documentation was available to repair shops. Also in 2023, the European Parliament approved stronger regulations for battery manufacturing to increase the durability of smartphones, and prevent e-waste.
Another solution to e-waste is recycling, but when it comes to phone, it’s notoriously difficult, because of all the different materials. Many phone recycling programs exist, but they may not be able to recycle all of the parts and materials. So, a lot of phones still end up in the trash.
Tips for Making a Sustainable Choice
The most sustainable phone is the one you already have. But, if you need a new phone, here are tips to guide you to make the most sustainable choice.
Assess Your Needs
First, look at how you use your phone. What are your must-have functions? Do you really need those apps and features on your smartphone? Take note of what you actually use. Maybe it’s just calls, texts, a calendar, and a map.
Next, see if a dumb phone could meet those core needs. Some now offer basic internet, GPS, and simple apps. You might find that a simpler device can do more than you think.
When you are ready for a new phone, pick one that lasts. Look for models known for durability. Check if parts are easy to find for repairs. Some brands are starting to share “repairability scores.” These scores tell you how easy a device is to fix. A phone with fewer features often means fewer complex parts, which is a good sign.
Also, research companies. Some phone makers are doing more to be green. They might use recycled materials or have better factory practices. Support the brands that care about the planet.
Extend Your Current Device’s Life
You can also make your current phone last longer, no matter if it is smart or dumb. Use a good protective case and a screen protector. This guards against drops. Learn how to care for your battery. Do not let it fully die all the time. Do not overcharge it.
Manage your software. Delete apps you do not use. Keep your operating system updated. When you finally move on from an old phone, avoid throwing it into the trash. Sell it. Donate it. Or, take it to a proper e-waste recycling center. Give it a new life, or ensure its materials get reused.
The Dumb Phone’s Sustainable Promise
When we look at dumb phones next to smartphones, the picture becomes clearer. Dumb phones often win on many green points. They typically need fewer resources to build. They cause less factory pollution. They are designed to be tough, living longer lives. And when they finally break, they are usually easier to fix.
Smartphones offer amazing features and endless connections. But their environmental cost is heavy. They push us to upgrade often. They contribute to a huge e-waste problem. So, dumb phones, with their simpler design, durability, and less waste potential, stand out. They present a truly more sustainable option for many people.
Think about your next phone choice. Consider your daily habits. Your decisions have a real impact on our planet. Whether or not you choose a smart or dumb phone, plan to buy a phone you can keep for several years and pass on to someone else instead of allowing it to become trash. At the end of the day, that will be the most sustainable phone any of us could buy.