The ecological footprint of smartphones

Did you know that smartphones contain gold? Around 60 different raw materials are needed to manufacture a smartphone, including cobalt, lithium, tungsten and many more. The extraction of these raw materials often fails to adequately protect human rights and nature conservation.

Raw materials are extremely important for the global economy. Even though individual metals are often only used in small quantities in smartphones, global consumption of raw materials adds up to a considerable amount. However, the available raw materials are limited, which is why we should use our resources sparingly and consciously.

In addition, the extraction of raw materials usually has a negative impact on the environment, as large areas of land are dug up and mined. Raw material extraction consumes a lot of water and can release toxic substances such as mercury. Working conditions for miners are also often poor, which can lead to serious health problems.

The good news? More and more smartphone manufacturers are committed to fair and environmentally friendly raw material extraction.

In addition to a large proportion of plastics, glass and ceramics, around a third of a smartphone consists of valuable metals such as:

The supply chains from the globally mined raw materials to the smartphone production facilities are long. Smartphones are predominantly manufactured in China, but increasingly also in other Asian countries such as Vietnam and India. From there, the assembled devices are shipped all over the world via (intermediate) distributors.

Smartphones consist of hundreds of components sourced from a variety of suppliers around the world. There are no uniform global standards for transparency and sustainability in smartphone production, which makes monitoring supply chains very complex and cost-intensive.

Companies in the supply chain are individually responsible for identifying and addressing human rights violations and environmentally harmful practices. Regular checks and audits of suppliers can ensure that ethical and environmental standards are met. Alternatively, companies can work with NGOs, governments or other companies to enforce comprehensive standards.

As a consumer, you can also do your part by making informed decisions when purchasing a smartphone. Do your research and ask the manufacturer what they are doing to uphold human rights and whether they comply with international labour standards. Choose smartphones from manufacturers with transparent and responsible supply chains to promote sustainable development.

Education plays a crucial role in promoting sustainable development in Switzerland. Social, economic and environmental aspects and processes are interdependent, and it is important that children and young people learn to understand these interrelationships.

As a contribution to Education for Sustainable Development (ESD), Swisscom has developed the learning unit ‘How valuable is a smartphone?’.

This learning unit takes a close look at the value chain of smartphones. Pupils discover the circular economy and use various methods to delve deeper into the individual sub-areas. The focus is on both social and ecological factors. Pupils are also encouraged to reflect on the emotional value of smartphones and their own media use.

The learning unit focuses on ‘Education for Sustainable Development’ (ESD), is based on Curriculum 21, and was developed with ‘ESD experts’ from the ESD Factory and reviewed by Empa (Technology and Society Department). Input from the WWF was also taken into account during its development.

On average, we own smartphones for around three years before buying a new device. To protect both the environment and our budget, it is worth extending the life of smartphones by using them responsibly and carefully.

The environmental impact of a smartphone is significantly higher during its manufacture than during its entire service life. When purchasing a smartphone, it is therefore advisable to choose durable models in order to reduce the environmental impact. Lifespan tests conducted by organisations such as Stiftung Warentest can help you decide on a suitable model.

Also, look for a timeless design so that you don't quickly tire of your device, and protect your smartphone from physical damage with a case and screen protector. Find out what else you can do to make your smartphone last longer here:

Has your old smartphone reached the end of its useful life? Sell or donate it. This will ensure that the valuable raw materials in your smartphone can be reused, conserving natural resources and protecting the environment.

The longer a smartphone is used, the greater the benefit to the environment, as around 75% of CO₂ emissions are generated during manufacture. Swisscom therefore offers two programmes for reusing old mobile phones and sells refurbished second-hand smartphones through Refreshed.

Give your old smartphone and the raw materials it contains a new lease of life: