What is a sustainable mobile phone?
I recently had a fascinating discussion with my colleague Marius Schlegel, who is responsible for corporate responsibility issues at Swisscom. While I am more concerned with social sustainability, Marius is committed to environmental sustainability. Sometimes we clash - on a very collegial basis. Of course, each of us finds «his» sustainability more important. (Although he also knows that social sustainability is king).
But how do you decide such a question? What is «more important»? Media expertise or ecological sustainability? The discussion with Marius showed me that you can't have one without the other. Because media literacy is more than just the correct use of devices. Much more.
The most ecological mobile phone is the one you have in your trouser pocket.
During our discussion, he surprised me with a simple sentence that I didn't really understand at first: «The most ecological mobile phone is the one you keep in your trouser pocket.» Excuse me? Not the Fairphone or another product that favours reparability and sustainably sourced raw materials?
During our discussion, he surprised me with a simple sentence that I didn't really understand at first: «The most ecological mobile phone is the one you keep in your trouser pocket.» Excuse me? Not the Fairphone or another product that favours reparability and sustainably sourced raw materials?
In this way, you create incentives for sustainable use of mobile phones:
- Be a role model. Children recognise contradictions very quickly. «You don't need a new mobile phone, the old one is still in tip-top condition» is difficult to convey if you treat yourself to a new smartphone every two years.
- Only replace your devices and those of your children when it is really necessary.
- Try to make the second-hand idea attractive. What is a matter of course with clothes can also apply to other products.
- If you treat your mobile phone with care, you will get more money on the second-hand market.
- To make the previous point an argument, children and young people should contribute to the purchase of a new device. A fixed amount is better than half the price. In the best case scenario (when buying a second-hand device), the new device is paid for in full by the parents.
- Medium and high-priced devices are more durable. These days, a smartphone can easily last five years or more.
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If the oldest mobile phone was the coolest
And that brings us to the topic of media literacy and the influence of parents. «It would be nice,» said Marius, leaning forward, «if the coolest person on the playground wasn't the one with the latest mobile phone, but the one with the oldest mobile phone, one with a patina that really shows its use. That's media literacy too!» That was right.
In fact, it is not children and young people who are driving the whole discussion. They are simply copying what they see adults doing. Smartphones are status symbols that are frequently exchanged. Why should our children do it any differently?
Parents have a role model function: they should not be ashamed to refer to their four-year-old mobile phone, but should proudly emphasise its age. A great device that simply can't be killed off!
We then tried to find out together where we could start. The aim should be to use the mobile phone you have already bought for as long as possible. «You don't even have to do it yourself,» emphasised Marius. What now? New mobile phones are still allowed?
Marius laughed: «Sure, there's a functioning second-hand market. If you trade in your old mobile phone, Swisscom, for example, will credit a decent amount to your new device. The data on the old smartphone is professionally deleted and it is put up for sale again.»
And Marius continues: «If parents don't pay for the new mobile phone in full, but only a certain amount, this can be an incentive for children and young people to buy a second-hand mobile phone.»
60 per cent of all Swiss children wear second-hand clothes. From siblings, cousins or even from the clothes exchange in the village. It's practical, cheap, often very cool and, of course, very sustainable. Marius was right - again! - right, of course. An accepted behaviour that could easily be extended to the purchase of electronic devices.
Inexpensive appliances need to be replaced more often
But now Marius had to answer one more question: If I need a new mobile phone despite everything: What kind does he recommend? Which brand is the most sustainable? He elaborates: "Today, mid-range and high-end smartphones are very well protected against moisture and dust. That makes them very durable. The disadvantage: as they are completely welded, they are not so easy to repair.
If you want to use your device for as long as possible, you should choose a mid-range or high-end device and protect it well.
Cheap mobile phones are also well protected against external influences. They often just lack certain features and are less powerful. They therefore need to be replaced sooner in the event of a technological leap than their more advanced counterparts."
What now? «If you want to use your device for as long as possible, you should choose a mid-range or high-end device and protect it well,» said Marius after some thought.
After an hour of intensive discussions, we were satisfied. I was able to add a few important aspects to the concept of media literacy. And he will certainly rub my nose in them with relish from now on.
