Compostable iPhone cases are a thing, here’s why
Several brands now offer compostable iPhone cases. But what are these covers made of and how do you ensure that the covers actually compost?
Read on after the ad.
Environmentally conscious iPhone cases
With the climate summit behind us, it shows once again how important the environment is. Unfortunately, things are not going in the right direction with Mother Nature. Fortunately, everyone can contribute. This can be done, for example, by taking a shorter shower, taking the car less often (or never) and not (any longer) eating meat. But did you know that you can also shop environmentally conscious for iPhone accessories?
There are all kinds of compostable Apple accessories. These are – as the word ‘compostable’ indicates – completely biodegradable. This means that the covers will not become part of the ever-growing plastic soup. Also, the covers don’t turn into millions of microplastics over time, which disrupt entire bio-systems and cause all kinds of scary diseases. Compostable all the way, So!
Several brands offer compostable iPhone cases. The most famous examples come from the Pela brand. There are hundreds of different designs for sale on Pela’s website, all of which are fully compostable.
How such a compostable cover works
Have you been using a compostable cover for years and are you ready for a new one? Then don’t throw your case in the plastic waste! Throw it in your organic waste bin or bury it in your backyard, in the woods or somewhere else. Microorganisms like porridge and compostable covers do not leave any toxic substances in the environment. The covers break down just as quickly as cellulose. Cellulose is a major component of plant cell walls. It is the most abundant natural polymer on Earth.
Ultimately, the bottom line is that burying a compostable smartphone case encourages plant growth. After the decomposition process, the covers are indistinguishable from the surrounding soil. However, it is ultimately up to you to ensure that a compostable cover is broken down properly.
Many people think that compostable plastic is biodegradable anyway, even if you throw it in your regular waste. That is unfortunately not entirely true. Compostable plastic needs elements like air, moisture and sunlight to break down properly. These elements are not sufficiently present in waste incineration or at a landfill. Burning compostable plastic also simply releases CO2 and there is nothing left to compost.
Compostable, recyclable or biodegradable?
It is important to know the difference between different forms of ‘environmentally friendly’ plastics. For example, compostable plastic is not recyclable. So never throw your compostable cover in a recycling bin. Burying a smartphone case in nature may feel silly, but it’s the only proper way to actually compost a compostable case.
Biodegradable plastics are degradable just like compostable plastics. Yet they are far from the same. For example, no time limit has been set within which a biodegradable plastic object must be completely degraded. Biodegradable plastics can also leave toxic substances in the environment.
Recyclable plastics can be melted down and given a new life. Unfortunately, many packaging is still not recyclable, but things are slowly moving in the right direction. Do you have a ‘normal’ iPhone case, such as Apple’s own silicone case? Please dispose of it in a recycle bin! That’s always better than burning.
