How to Buy Ethical and Eco-Friendly Electronics (2026)
Technician's work lab repairing broken mobile phone, electronics, tools, upgrades, and technology.
Photograph: Thanasis/Getty Images Save this story Save this story We all love shiny new electronics.
But every new smartphone or laptop comes with baggage.
Weighing climate dread , terrible working conditions , energy usage , and worries over hellish e-waste graveyards can quickly kill your excitement about shopping for a new gadget.
None of us wants to be complicit, but what can we do if these issues concern us?
Sadly, there’s no easy way to find ethically manufactured and eco-friendly electronics.
But there are things you can do to reduce any negative impact your purchases may have.
Here are a few ideas we’ve compiled, with the help of Alex Crumbie, writer and researcher at Ethical Consumer , a UK magazine that ranks brands across various categories, from environmental reporting to workers’ rights.
Updated March 2026: I've conducted a new expert interview, added options for buying used or refurbished, added Framework laptops, and removed some older picks.
The best way to minimize your impact is to avoid buying new devices if you can.
The unpalatable truth is that every new gadget has a cost in manufacturing, shipping, operating life, and, eventually, waste.
Most of the environmental impact comes from the manufacturing stage.
The carbon footprint of a smartphone decreases with each additional year it is used, according to Crumbie.
To give an example, the carbon footprint of an iPhone 11 is 52.5 kg if you keep it for two years, but it drops to 35 kg if you keep it for three, and just 10.5 kg if you're still using it a decade later.
It’s best to continue using what you already own or get devices repaired to extend their lifespan wherever possible.
