Updated: Feb 5, 2023
Well like most of you, I have a phone and want to protect but unfortunately most phone cases out there are made out of plastic, which I am sure I do not need to tell you is not the best option when trying to live sustainably. Additionally, if you are anything like me you are prone to dropping your phone and want to protect it from the glass cracking, scratches and ultimately the phone breaking. So whilst looking for a new eco-friendly, sustainable phone case for my Huawei P30 Pro I came across Pela, who make a wide range of eco-friendly phone cases and other products. I had seen them in numerous social media posts and across the internet in the past but never thought much of them at the time. However, now I am in need of a phone case, I decided to order one and see. Here I go into Pela, my phone case from them and to see what makes them so eco-friendly.
What they offer?
Pela offer a wide range of phone cases, not just your typical iPhone cases many companies do, as well as a number of accessories, all with a variation of colours and patterns. Recently I looked on their site and was presently surprised they offer cases for a wide range of iPhone models and a large array of android phones. I was also incredibly surprised by the fact they even had one for my phone, the Huawei P30 Pro, which is often sometimes too niche for most companies to make one for. They also make cases for air pods, as well as a wide range of accessory items such as smart watchbands, phone grips, cardholders and liquid screen protectors.
What is it made of?
The case I picked up is made of a material they call flaxstic, which uses plant based bioplastic elastomers and flax straw, which is a bi-product of flax oil seeds. All of which allows it to be compostable and biodegradable, which of course is great for the environment and a must if you are trying to go zero waste. Pela currently note that their cases are completely compostable and free from a number of harmful materials such as lead, cadmium, BPA and phthalates, allowing it to return to nature once you don’t want it any more. They also try to use renewable resources helping to reduce any negative impact. Further to all this, all their packing is completely recycled and recyclable and can be composted too. It is clear that Pela are keen to help reduce waste for our planet, whilst creating a great product many need.
The case itself
Now Pela are known for their cases and as I have one, I thought it is only fitting to delve into the case and what I think of it. Firstly, getting the case on and off is very easy, it is very flexible allowing you to easily bend it over the corners of either side of your phone, making it quick to put on and off. It has a nice soft, almost rubbery feel to it but at the same time being matte and grippy, so you are less likely to drop it. Additionally, in my opinion it is quite thicker than most phone covers and has a lip over the front screen, helping to protect the phone all together and the glass from smashing from any accidental drops. I also think it looks nice and has a natural organic vibe, which is in line with the companies goals.
More on Pela
If you are looking for a way to reduce your waste, specifically plastic waste and need a phone case, then Pela is probably your best option. They also do more than create a great sustainable product they also help with your understanding through helping to detail the difference between biodegradable and compostable plastics. Additionally, looking through their website it appears they are a transparent company, which is another trait of eco-friendly, green companies. Even further to all this, they are also Climate Neutral Certified, Certified B Corporation and a proud member of 1% for the Planet. On top of all that they donates a % of every sale to Ocean Clean-up and Preservation Initiatives. So it is clear by purchasing from them you are supporting a company who are working hard to better the planet.
To conclude the pela case is probably one of the most eco-friendly cases you can get today, who also offer a wide range of case and other accessories with a range of colours and patterns. They are a green company who have created a great green product, which I currently believe deserve your support. Let me know what you think of the pela case if you have one or if you are going to get one. Also, if you have seen any other sustainable/ eco-friendly alternative phone cases that you have been looking at, let me know in the comments below.
Updated: Feb 3, 2023
The ‘wallet’ is an everyday item for millions of people. Traditional wallets come in a bi-fold format and often made from leather. However, Moral Origin have producing a unique looking sustainable and ethical wallet, so I thought I would get one and review it. The reason I believe the wallet is so important is because it is the quintessential accessories for the majority of people. The fashion industry can be very toxic and unethical, so having an accessory like this, which I believe is categorised under fashion is a great step forward. Anyway, here are my thoughts on this quirky but brilliant wallet and the company behind it.
Moral Origin has created a sustainable wallet using, as the title suggest, cork. Cork is the primary material of the wallet, which is all sourced in an ethically and sustainable way. Even Moral Origin detail how ethical cork is by highlighting the following:
100% Natural
Chemical free
Incredibly low ecological footprint
Recyclable
Biodegradable
Vegan
Fights global warming
Protects endangered species
Cork is a great sustainable resource because of it properties and it other ethical characteristics detailed above. It should also be noted that it is a sustainable material in it itself. Cork is harvest by shaving the bark of the Cork Oak tree and then left to grow and harvested again. This means the tree do not have to be cut down, leaving them in the area for the local wildlife.
Moral Origins not only ensure their product is ethical they also make their packaging 100% recyclable, further increasing its sustainable reach. Finally, as they are all about the ethics they ensure their production is ethical by giving you the option to assembling the wallet yourself or the small team who run Moral Origin assemble it for you. As for fashion and especially wallets you probably won’t get a company that is more ethical.
You can purchase their new wallet fully assembled for £15.00 or if you want to save some money and feel capable (you should, it’s fairly easy) you can get the self-assemble set, which costs £12.50. They also offer a purse that can be brought assembled or for self-assembly. If you decide to go for the self-assembled optioned (like I did), here is what you get in the box:
The cork cut out to make the wallet
Three sets of (what looks like brass) screw pins that hold the wallet (you only need two sets).
Business card sayings thank you and where to go for a set-up tutorial video.
The assembly itself is very easy, after watching the tutorial video and following it for 5 minutes, I was easily able to assemble the wallet. However, if you do not want to know how it is put together or save yourself some money you could just pick it up already assembled. Once assembled it creates a bi-fold wallet, which is a little bit bigger than a typical bankcard. It has a little pouch on one sides behind a section for card to put any change (coins) into it and the other side only allows for card but you can easily store a few notes behind them.
I have had the wallet for well over a year and it is incredibly durable. I thought over time it would get scratched or worn out and start to fray but no, it’s still going strong. Now for the important bit, well, for me at least. I hate it when I get a nice looking wallet but it can only fit 6 cards in it, I’m not sure about you but I defiantly have a lot more than that. Additionally, I don’t want to have more than 6 cards and it become the size of a brick and I believe Moral Origin have done a great job at beating this. At for the amount I managed to fit the following in the wallet:
9 x plastic cards
4 x card/paper cards (like business cards)
2 x bank notes (even the larger notes used in the UK)
4 x Pound coins
This was achieved comfortably; using both sides to hold my cards and fitted everything my old traditional bi-fold wallet could. Granted if I had a large number of notes, it would struggle, unless I got rid of some cards but this is not so much of an issue with bank cards and contactless payments. I believe you could fit up to 11 plastic cards in this case and have room for a note or two and some change, which is more than most wallets can do. Due to this, I was pleasantly surprised that a minimalist wallet like this was able to hold all this and change.
Overall, this is a unique and interesting minimalist wallet with a great look that is also ethical and sustainable. I believe more support should go to companies that put ethics and sustainability at the forefront of their product. One of which is Moral Origin, who have the goal to achieve “a future where ethical is the norm”. I would defiantly recommend picking this wallet up not only for its sustainability aspect but because I believe it is an amazing looking, well designed minimalist wallet that is ideal for most.
