Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Mobile
  3. News

Samsung launches eco-friendly phone case line for Earth Day

Peter Hunt Szpytek
By
Tech For Change
This story is part of Tech for Change: an ongoing series in which we shine a spotlight on positive uses of technology, and showcase how they're helping to make the world a better place.

In celebration of Earth Day, Samsung has announced a partnership with plant-based designer Sean Wotherspoon to create a line of eco-friendly smartphone cases and Galaxy Watch accessories. The device accessories are all sourced sustainably using 100% recycled materials, according to Samsung. The cases and watch bands are all biodegradable, meaning that once they’re thrown out, their ecological impact will be quite low.

The 2022 sustainability line consists of phone cases for the Galaxy S21 and watch bands for the Galaxy Watch 4. All items will be available for purchase starting at 10 a.m. ET on Earth Day — Friday, April 22 — on Samsung.com.

Recommended Videos

The “biodegradable” point isn’t just marketing, either. In the right conditions in a landfill, these will start to break down in just a month. But, with normal airflow/moisture and regular wear, they won’t have any issues during the owner’s time having them on their wrist.

— Andrew Martonik (@andrewmartonik) April 21, 2022

Related

In terms of design, the entire Samsung x Sean Wotherspoon line puts aesthetics at the forefront. The three color options for all accessories are green, yellow, and pink and are covered in cartoon graphics of things like the globe, peace signs, and other Earth Day-themed graphics. In addition to the physical bands, Samsung has provided free matching digital watch faces available for download for those wanting a singular look for their Galaxy Watch.

While many companies like flexing their eco-friendly muscles for Earth Day, this isn’t Samsung’s first sustainability effort. Not only is this the second of the company’s sustainably sourced accessory series, but Samsung has also been pushing for the recycling of technology waste through other programs. For example, just last week the company added the Galaxy S21 lineup to its Certified Renewed store, a first-party retailer that sells refurbished devices.

Earlier this month, reports suggested that the company is looking to provide Android device owners the option to repair their broken hardware using recycled pieces, cutting down on both costs and plastic waste. The program is still yet to be officially announced and implemented, but it’s another example of Samsung putting eco-friendly practices front and center.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Peter Hunt Szpytek
Peter Hunt Szpytek
Mobile Writer
A podcast host and journalist, Peter covers mobile news with Digital Trends and gaming news, reviews, and guides for sites…
Samsung’s self-repair program launches for Galaxy S21, S20, and Tab S7 Plus
Vision Booster on the Galaxy S22 Ultra, with the S21 Ultra.

Earlier this year, Samsung announced that it would allow Galaxy device owners the option to repair their gadgets themselves. A few months later, the company's self-repair program has finally gone live. Launching for the Galaxy S21 and S20 lines of smartphones, as well as the Tab S7 Plus, device owners won't need to discard their smartphones and tablets if they're malfunctioning. Instead, they can purchase repair parts and tools for quick, do-it-yourself fixes.

While device repair might sound like a daunting endeavor, Samsung is providing full access to online repair guides that give step-by-step instructions on how to fix specific issues and replace crucial elements. Additionally, replacement parts and repair tools will be available through a handful of retailers, including iFixit, Samsung 837, and Samsung retail stores.

Read more
The Galaxy Watch 4’s best charging trick is also Samsung’s worst ecosystem problem
Charging Galaxy Watch 4 with Galaxy S22 Ultra

For all the slick Wear OS tricks and comprehensive fitness features that the Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 Classic offers, battery life is somewhat of a letdown. Even with an average day of usage involving continuous heart rate monitoring and GPS tracking for outdoor workouts, you will find yourself looking for the charging puck at the end of the day.

Samsung ships a wireless charging puck in the retail package. But this one takes about two hours to fully juice up the 46mm variant of the Galaxy Watch 4 Classic. That’s a bit too slow, considering the fact that smartwatches half its asking price — such as the divisive OnePlus Watch — take just about an hour to go from empty to 100%.

Read more
Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 4 is reportedly launching August 10
The Galaxy Z Fold 3 in the open position.

A new leak has surfaced saying that a lot of new Samsung hardware will all be launching on the same day in August. According to the leak, the Galaxy Z Fold 4, Flip 4, a new lavender-colored Galaxy S22, Watch 5, and the long-awaited Watch 5 Pro will all be announced and made available for pre-order on August 10 before launching on August 26.

The report comes from known leaker Jon Prosser, who's provided plenty of prerelease information in the past. As with all leakers, there's a chance his information may be incorrect (Apple Watch Series 7, anyone?). However, it lines up with when one would expect Samsung to launch its foldables. The company has held a summer Unpacked event every year for the past few years -- with the Z Fold and Z Flip lines recently becoming staples after the demise of the Note line. If the report is true, then Samsung will hold its Unpacked on August 10 either virtually, or as a limited in-person event à la Apple's WWDC keynote, with preorders opening shortly after and products shipping about two weeks later.

Read more