Earth Day Tech: 4 Eco-Friendly Gadgets Making a Difference
Earth Day is the perfect time to rethink our relationship with technology. These innovative gadgets show us that being tech-savvy and eco-conscious can go hand in hand. Here's a roundup of exciting products that are making a difference for our planet!
1. Apple's Recycling Initiative: Tackling the Electronics Drawer
We all have that drawer at home — the one filled with old, unused electronics, tangled cables, and accessories for devices long gone. It's a universal problem, with almost half of all smartphones ending up forgotten in drawers.
This Earth Day, Apple wants to help you tackle that drawer with several environmentally responsible options:
Recycling Program: From now until May 16, Apple is offering 10% off an accessory when you recycle an eligible item in-store. They'll accept smartphones, tablets, smartwatches, computers, storage devices, headphones, speakers, keyboards, printers, and other electronic devices from Apple or third-party brands. Apple Stores will recycle your old devices for free, conducting thorough inspections to determine if items can be refurbished or responsibly recycled.
Trade-In Options: Apple Trade In lets you extend the life of products you no longer use while getting credit toward a new purchase or an Apple Gift Card. Apple products hold their value longer than other brands — in the US and Europe, iPhones retain at least 40% more value compared to Android smartphones.
Repair Services: Apple designs products to be durable and repairable. More parts than ever can be repaired or replaced (iPhone 16 has 12 repairable parts), and you can visit one of over 1,100 authorized service providers in the US, get help at the Genius Bar, or even try their Self-Service Repair program.
All these initiatives support Apple's bold goal to be carbon neutral across its entire footprint by 2030. They've already reduced emissions by over 55% since 2015 and are designing products with more recycled materials — MacBook Air with M4 features over 55% recycled content, and iPhone 16e contains over 30% recycled content.
Learn more at apple.com/recycling
2. Belkin: Small Accessories, Big Impact
If you're looking to upgrade your tech accessories, why not make sure they're as green as possible? Belkin is proving that even the smallest gadgets can make a big difference.
Belkin has been working on sustainability for decades, and it shows. Their newest accessories are made with up to 90% post-consumer recycled materials, which means less virgin plastic in production. They've also cut single-use plastic in their packaging by an impressive 89%, replacing over 432 metric tons of virgin plastic so far. Plus, they're offering up to 20% off right now on charging stands, pads, car chargers, and more.
Check out their eco-friendly lineup at belkin.com
3. GEME Home Composter: Kitchen Tech That Cuts Carbon
We've all heard about reducing our carbon footprint, but this next gadget brings measurable environmental impact right into your kitchen!
The GEME composter is revolutionary because it uses natural microorganisms to actually compost your food waste - not just dehydrate it like other machines. It transforms 100% of your food waste into less than 5% residue, creating nutrient-rich organic fertilizer for your plants or garden. And here's something impressive - a family of four using GEME can cut emissions equivalent to 4,000 kilometers of driving a gas-powered car every year. That's like planting 4 trees annually or what a mature tree would absorb in CO₂ over 20 years!
Discover more at geme.bio
4. House of Marley: Sound Good, Do Good
Who says being eco-conscious means sacrificing great sound? This speaker proves you can party and protect the planet at the same time!
The Get Together 2 portable speaker ($249.99) is made with renewable bamboo, recycled plastic bottles, organic cotton, hemp, and even upcycled waste materials. What's really impressive is that even the packaging is 100% plastic-free and fully recyclable. And here's the best part - every purchase supports global reforestation through their partnership with One Tree Planted. So your music isn't just sounding good, it's literally helping plant trees and restore ecosystems around the world!
Find it at thehouseofmarley.com
Earth Day reminds us that our tech choices can add up to make a big difference for our planet. Whether you're recycling old devices, choosing sustainably made accessories, composting food waste with smart technology, or jamming to tunes while planting trees, there are more options than ever to tech responsibly.
What eco-friendly gadgets are you eyeing this Earth Day? Let us know in the comments below!
Follow @jessicanaziri for more sustainable tech recommendations and reviews.