Fairphone

Fairphone, a Dutch tech company based in Amsterdam, specializes in the development and production of modular, sustainable, and repair-friendly smartphones. The devices are designed so that key components such as the screen, cameras, or battery can be easily and quickly replaced, which extends the lifespan of the devices and reduces electronic waste[1][2][3].

The mission of Fairphone goes beyond the mere production of smartphones. The company follows a philosophy based on circular economy, resource conservation, and transparent supply chains. Fairphone advocates for a fairer electronics industry that prioritizes social and ecological responsibility. The company aims to achieve positive impacts throughout its entire supply chain, from material extraction to the lifecycle of its products[1][2][4].

Fairphone is a pioneer in sustainability and social responsibility. Here are some of the central initiatives and goals:

• Sustainable Materials: Fairphone uses raw materials from fair mining and trade, such as gold from small-scale miners in Peru. Additionally, the company focuses on using recycled materials to conserve resources. For example, the plastic back of the Fairphone 4 is made from 100% recycled plastic[2].
• Durability and Repairability: The modular design of Fairphones allows for easy replacement of defective components, significantly extending the lifespan of the devices. Fairphone guarantees availability of most spare parts for 5 years[2][3].
• Fair Production: In the production facilities in China, workers receive fair wages and benefits. Fairphone conducts regular checks on production conditions and actively responds to the needs of the workforce[2][3].
• Recycling and Resource Protection: Fairphone has implemented recycling systems, including a take-back system in the Netherlands and projects like "Closing the Loop," which bring electronic waste from Africa back to Europe for proper recycling and reuse[1][2].
• Environmentally Friendly Logistics: Fairphone pays attention to environmentally friendly solutions in transport and packaging and aims to minimize environmental impacts throughout the entire product lifecycle[2].

Fairphone originated from an awareness campaign that initially aimed to highlight the issues surrounding the extraction of conflict minerals. In 2013, this campaign led to the founding of the company Fairphone, which has since become an innovative player in the electronics industry. Through crowdfunding and pre-sales, Fairphone quickly gained momentum and has since launched numerous models such as the Fairphone 2 and Fairphone 3[1][3][4].

Fairphone has established itself as a movement advocating for a more sustainable and ethical production of smartphones and actively challenges the industry to adopt more sustainable practices. Through its unique corporate philosophy, innovative products, and commitment to circular economy and transparent supply chains, Fairphone sets standards for the entire industry and inspires consumers worldwide to advocate for a fairer future.

• 1 - https://blog.stp.de/fairphone
• 2 - https://umweltdesigner.de/blog/fairphone-umweltfreundliches-smartphone/
• 3 - https://brutkasten.com/artikel/fairphone
• 4 - https://shop.fairphone.com/de/about-us
• 5 - https://www.fairphone.com/de/story/