Plastic phone cases are commonly used for protecting smartphones, but they pose harm to the environment due to their non-renewable composition. Annually, around 1.5 billion cases are thrown away which end up in landfills or oceans. To combat this issue, making sustainable cases offers a great solution. Thus, in this guide, we’ll learn how to make eco-friendly phone cases at home and reduce plastic wastage.
How to Make Eco-Friendly Phone Cases
To make a stylish sustainable cell phone cover, you can use recycled paper, collage paper, rustic paper, dried flowers, or cute stickers to create a unique look. You can also consider eco-friendly paints to draw cool designs on the cover.
Tips:
- Research eco-friendly materials for the best outcome.
- Use recycled materials to reduce waste.
- Avoid toxic adhesives.
- Test durability and fit before using with your phone.
Now let us gather materials and follow this simple process.
Materials:
- Natural materials like bamboo, cork, or biodegradable plant-based plastics (e.g., wheat straw, flax shive)
- Recycled materials (e.g., recycled plastic, silicone)
- Non-toxic, sustainable adhesives and glues
- Cutting, shaping, and assembly tools (e.g., scissors, sandpaper, drill)
Process:
Step 1: Choose a design and gather materials.
Step 2: Cut and shape materials to fit your phone model.
Step 3: Assemble the case using non-toxic, sustainable adhesives.
Step 4: Ensure the case offers adequate phone protection, including screen and camera.
Step 5: Test the case for durability and fit.
Step 6: Consider adding features like a handle or lanyard.
Step 7: Optionally finish with organic dyes or natural pigments.
Step 8: Assemble the final product manually.
Step 9: Package the case in recycled materials.
Note: DIY cases may not be as durable as professional ones.
How to Make a Biodegradable iPhone Case
To craft such a case, follow these tips:
1. You’ll use a compostable polymer derived from plants like corn, cassava, sugar cane, or beet. This polymer is turned into a long-chain polylactic acid (PLA) sugar molecule and injected into molds made of special, heat-resistant steels.
2. The molds, which are the most complex part of the process, take several months to create. Once injected into the molds, the material transforms into a biodegradable and compostable phone case that can fully decompose in under a year. Microorganisms digest the case, breaking down the carbon atoms in the polymer chains and returning them to nature.
For instance, the Pela Case uses plant-based materials instead of petroleum-based ones, making it both biodegradable and compostable. Its primary components include compostable bioplastic elastomer and flax straw. This explained how to make a biodegradable iPhone case.
You can also take a look at what to do with old phone cases to minimize plastic usage.
How to Make an Eco-Friendly Phone Case With a Card Holder
You can’t make an eco-friendly phone case with a card holder at home of the same quality as store-bought ones. Instead, support eco-friendly brands. Here’s how:
- Choose a phone case from eco-friendly brands like Pela, Ecoblvd, or Wave Case.
- Get a card holder from brands offering compostable or biodegradable options, such as Ecoblvd.
- Carefully remove the card holder from the packaging, avoiding damage to the adhesive.
- Clean your phone case’s back to remove dust.
- Stick the card holder to the case as per instructions.
- Insert your cards.
- Enjoy your eco-friendly phone case and card holder, supporting waste reduction and the environment. One such example is Green Phone Case Card Holder by Pela which can hold 2 cards at a time.
Note: These steps focus on buying and assembling rather than making. Creating your case requires time, resources, and expertise.
To conclude, opting for sustainable choices like biodegradable, recycled, or natural material cases reduces environmental harm and promotes human health. These alternatives offer diverse designs and styles while aligning with eco-conscious values. To access more such interesting content, keep exploring our website.
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