Thinking about investing in eco-friendly tech? Whether its a refurbished laptop or an ethically-made desk chair, this is the post for you. I’ve been documenting kinder ways to live and dress here for just more than 10 years, and across that time, I’ve had to invest in a LOT of tech for my work. Yet it’s only now that I really feel like truly green options for my home office are available!
So, if you work from home, or if you’re furnishing an office and want to find out if there are sustainable options out there, read on to discover my favourite tech investments, their pros and cons, and where I hope the tech industry will go next…
What Is Eco-Friendly Tech?
Eco-friendly tech – also dubbed green tech, clean tech, environmental technology, and more – refers to any form of technology that is made in a more sustainable way. It’s worth noting that there is no legal definition for the term ‘eco-friendly’, but the UK’s Green Claims Code is cracking down on green claims that do not have clear, substantial evidence of a product’s green credentials. In the technology field, eco-friendly tech predominantly refers to hardware, but there is a lot of eco-friendly advancements taking place in software, data storage, and even AI.
What To Look For In Eco-Friendly Tech
In the field of consumer tech, you may have noticed more eco-friendly options becoming available. It’s about time! However, it’s important to be able to understand the difference between genuinely sustainable options, and ones which may be a bit more surface-level. It’s also important to note that e-waste is the world’s fastest growing waste stream, with less than 40% recycled. So in reality, the need for tech that respects people and planet is long overdue.
When looking for eco-friendly tech, consider the following aspects:
- Production
- Materials
- Environmental impact
- Cost
- Efficiency
- End-of-life
For instance, it may be tempting to soon invest in a new mobile phone that benefits from the upcoming EU law that ensures batteries can be replaced. Sure, that might increase the lifecycle of the phone overall, but what about choosing a refurbished phone instead? Or how about keeping your old phone going, and getting a recycled case from Casely*? Circular options reduce the demand for unethical labour, new materials, and also stop items from going to landfill prematurely. A holistic look at a product’s sustainable credentials is key!
My Eco-Friendly Tech Collection, Reviewed
To give some real-world examples of advancements in eco-friendly tech, I wanted to share with you what’s on my desk. Plus, you can rate my setup on Instagram!
Refurbished Apple MacBook
Starting with my workhorse: my refurbished Apple MacBook* from BornGood. You might remember my collaboration with the BornGood team in the run up to Black Friday last year, where I highlighted that a huge 44% of Black Friday purchases are tech, and the benefits of refurbished tech instead. Choosing a refurbished MacBook not only saved me over £1,000, but it also saved on kilos of carbon emissions. Eight months later, I can happily say I’m still satisfied with the performance of my machine, and it’s the main component in my setup. When the time comes to replace this laptop, I know I’ll also be able to either resell it or donate it to charitable campaigns such as Tech-TakeBack, based here in Brighton.
Razer Laptop Stand
Underneath my laptop, I have my Razer Mercury Laptop Stand (gifted). I received this after speaking with Razer at the start of this year to find out more about their Restorify program, which traces and calculates the carbon impact of your purchase and provides you with the option to buy carbon credits at the checkout. While carbon offsetting isn’t anything new, the Restorify program is innovative, highlighting the exact carbon emissions associated with any given purchase. Let’s hope it gets more gamers thinking about not just touching grass, but also preserving it. In return, I’d also like Razer to share more about who makes their products, and if they’re being paid fairly.
Logitech Recycled Keyboard
Next, a little treat for the fingers. My Logitech MX Mechanical Keyboard for Mac was a purchase I made soon after my refurbished laptop and stand, to give me a more ergonomic workstation, as well as a more satisfying typing experience. The MX Keyboard for Mac is a bluetooth-enabled, battery powered mechanical keyboard. It’s made with recycled plastic, low carbon aluminium, and is carbon offset by Logitech. (Honestly I wish all tech was this well considered.)
I will say, I’m not a fan of backlit keyboards and have always kept mine off, which makes a full charge last months. And I mean months. I type on this keyboard daily, and I’ve only charged it twice since acquiring it in December 2022. It gives credence to Logitech’s own claim that the battery will last up 10 months with the backlighting turned off!
And what happens when I’m finally ready to say goodbye to this keyboard? I can take it to a WEEE recycling centre. It’s not as good as Logitech having its own recycling facilities, but it’s pretty close.
Second-Hand Mouse & Cork Mouse Mat
To add to my collection of refurbished tech, I recently invested in a second-hand Logitech Lift Mouse from CeX. I find CeX is often cheaper than BackMarket or eBay for second-hand tech, and all of their items come with a 5 Year Warranty too. This mouse is great for reducing pressure in my wrist, and it was box-fresh too.
Alongside my mouse, I have a cork mouse mat from Portuguese Treasures. It’s a great alternative to plastic mouse mats, as it’s made from 100% natural, biodegradable cork.
IKEA Rechargeable Batteries
As my mouse requires batteries, I like to use my IKEA LADDA Batteries in it. I’ve been using these since 2019, and they have completely eliminated my need for disposable AA batteries around our home. Six years on, and they still hold their charge perfectly.
If you’ve been on the fence about investing in rechargeable batteries, let this be the sign to do so now!
Refurbished iPhone
Next, we have to talk about my phone. I have a refurbished Apple iPhone from GiffGaff, who I worked with a few years ago to promote the launch of their refurbished devices. At the time, I wasn’t able to share that it was from Apple, but it is, and it was so good that it converted me to only ever buy refurbished! After years with that phone, I recently traded it in for a newer iPhone, again refurbished.
If you’re updating your phone, definitely consider refurbished. And if you’re looking to make a positive impact with your old phone, consider donating it to charity. In the past, I’ve donated my phones to Hubbub’s Community Calling campaign, and many national charities accept phone donations too.
Belkin Recycled Plastic Charge Pad
Last Christmas I was lucky enough to receive a Belkin BoostCharge Pro charge pad*, and it’s become the main way I charge my iPhone and AirPods. Did you know, Belkin is quietly investing in more sustainable systems across their business? The charge pad, for example, is made with Post-Consumer Recycled (PCR) materials. And while it’s one small change, the fact that Belkin has adopted this material across its entire range means it will keep an estimated 7,000 metric tons of CO2-eq emissions from being released into the environment! Next, I’d love to see more transparent supply chains, and where else Belkin is actively working to be more sustainable.
Herman Miller Desk Chair
Did you know, Herman Miller was the first furniture company to fuel their entire worldwide facilities with renewable energy? It’s not the reason I bought my Setu Desk Chair, but it does make me happy knowing that it was made in a more environmentally-friendly way. The chair itself is an ergonomic dream, and I’ve been sitting in it to work at my desk daily for more than four years now. The chair comes with a 12-year warranty that includes parts and service, and I have to say when it was first delivered, I had the friendliest interaction with the technician, who carried it up six flights of stairs for me!
Stoov Heated Chair Cover
They say heat the human, not the home, and the Stoov Big Hug (gifted) has become my way of staying warm during the cost of living crisis. The Big Hug is a cosy heating pad that is designed to fit most chairs, and I have to say it fits my Setu Chair incredibly well. It’s ethically made in the Netherlands, and costs around £4 to use per year – which is a fraction of our utility bills!
The Big Hug seat pad has three levels of heat, and feels just like an in-car heated seat, radiating warm, dry heat across the back and bottom. When it first arrived, it would run well for up to two full work days before it needed charging. Now, a year on, it needs to be plugged in almost constantly, and I did have to replace the plug as well (costing £20). So, while I wouldn’t rate it great for longevity, I do think it’s great in terms of its ethical production and cost-saving warmth.
11 Of The Best Places To Buy Eco-Friendly Tech In The UK
Here are the top places to purchase sustainably-made and second-hand tech in the UK:
BackMarket: Second-hand marketplace for lots of tech goods.
BornGood: Refurbished laptops, computers, and more, all with warranty.
Belkin*: Tech accessories made with Post-Consumer Recycled (PCR) materials.
CeX: Second-hand tech store on every major high street. Great for tech, games, and more!
eBay: Check out eBay’s new refurbished products, with 1-year guarantee across verified items.
Herman Miller: Ergonomic desk chairs and office equipment built to last.
John Lewis*: Ethical department store selling tech products from all major brands.
Logitech: Tech accessories made with recycled materials.
Razer: Gaming products with Restorify carbon offsetting program.
Stoov: Ethically-made heat pads, chair covers, and more, that are eco-friendly and efficient.
Tech TakeBack: Refurbished laptops and other electrical equipment at a fair price.
Three Obstacles For Eco-Friendly Tech
Before I sign off on this piece, I wanted to highlight a few obstacles that could potentially play a part in stopping the tech industry from being as sustainable as it really should be…
1. Tech Is Advancing Too Quickly To Be Sustainable
Tech is one of the biggest industries to have grown over the last few decades. We’ve gone from brick-like mobile handsets to slim-line smart technology in just a few short years, and with that super-fast advancement comes huge investment and lots of corner cutting. Why spend money on sustainability when your business is making money hand over fist? Except, oh yeah, the climate crisis.
New legislation, such as the Right to Repair Act, is helping to change that. Not only are products now going to be repairable, they’ll also be monitored for planned obsolescence. It seems wild that we’re already on the 14th iPhone – do we really need to be? Tara Button’s book, A Life Less Throwaway*, goes into this in more detail, and is well worth a read.
2. Tech Is More Than Hardware
In this round-up, I’ve only focused on hardware. That’s partly because I would be here all day explaining every single piece of software I use if I was to include it here, but also because the impact of software is practically hidden from view. That being said, everything we do online has a carbon impact. Even sending a single email will add carbon into our atmosphere. It’s why sustainable data centres and carbon offsetting for social media exist. It feels difficult to simply rationalise that typing this here is creating a negative impact on the environment (although I do try to mitigate this by being with a renewable energy provider, and using a renewable hosting company), so it makes sense that much of the tech industry has removed itself from its obligations to people and planet until now.
3. Tech Is Removing Us From ‘The Real World’
Finally, let’s talk about a more philosophical point: that tech is removing us from the ‘real world’. This is a worry that originally occurred to me years ago, but one that I quietly tucked away. Years ago, when I first tried on an Oculus Rift, the number one thing I wanted to do was travel the world (and I did, for 10 whole minutes, before feeling like I was going to throw up). Then came the Metaverse, and honestly, I dismissed it out of hand (who didn’t?!) But the question is: do these sensory-encompassing tools physically and mentally distance us from the planet around us? And with the rise of AI, are we supporting an unethical use of data? And how do these products, designed in the Global North, and built in the Global South, really create global equality? Joycelyn Longdon’s musings on this are well worth exploring.
What do you think? Let me know your thoughts on my setup or the wider ideas explored here!
