The best eco-friendly phone cases for 2025
Reduce your carbon footprint with these phone cases.
We all want to protect our phones from the inevitable drops, scratches and tumbles of daily life, but what if your cell phone case could protect more than just your device? The best eco-friendly phone cases offer a great blend of durability and sustainability, helping to reduce plastic waste and better the planet.
Made from natural materials like biodegradable plastics, recycled ocean waste or even sustainable bamboo, eco-friendly and compostable phone covers prove that you don’t have to sacrifice style or protection to go green. They’re designed to safeguard your device while actively combating plastic pollution, making them a win-win for both you and Mother Earth.
Whether you’re looking for something sleek and minimal or bold and artistic, there’s an eco-friendly option out there that will fit your style. Instead of a standard plastic case, you can choose one that’s both practical and planet-friendly, like biodegradable phone cases that are often recyclable and plastic-free in design.
Pela
Casetify Ultra Compostable
Incipio Organicore
OtterBox Defender Series
Engadget
Pela
. We absolutely love their colors and designs, plus the fact that the entire line is 100 percent plant-based and compostable. The case material is called “Flaxstic,” which the company says is made from flax straw and compostable bioplastic elastomer. Importantly, it’s also free of BPA, phthalates, cadmium and lead. If you ever decide to get rid of it, you can indeed just chuck in a compost bin and it’ll be completely biodegradable; another win for the planet.
What’s more, Pela cases are available for a wide array of handsets. They can accommodate iPhones (from iPhone 5 onwards), Samsung Galaxies (Galaxy S10 and newer), Google Pixels (from the Pixel 4a on) and even some OnePlus and Huawei models.
For iPhone users, we should note that Pela cases are not MagSafe-compatible by default, but you can purchase a $13 MagSafe module separately. Applying it to my phone was pretty straightforward, so that’s not a big concern, but it’s something to keep in mind.
$65 at Pela
Engadget
Casetify Ultra Compostable
$31 at Amazon
Incipio
Incipio Organicore
$39.99+ at Incipio
OtterBox
OtterBox Defender Series
Enter Otterbox cases, particularly the Defender series, which are some of the best cases that combine serious protection and attractive designs. They’re built to withstand military-grade drop tests with a trio of defenses: a bump-resistant silicone cover, a rigid inner shell to keep your phone in place and a memory-foam backing for added stability. The slightly textured exterior of the case provides better grip and they do come in MagSafe-compatible configurations for iPhone users.
$70 at Amazon
$70 at Otterbox
Eco-friendly phone case FAQs
What makes a phone case eco-friendly?
A phone case can be considered eco-friendly when it’s designed to protect not just your phone but also the planet. What sets these cases apart is the use of sustainable materials like biodegradable plastics, recycled plastic waste or even natural materials like bamboo or flax straw. Instead of contributing to plastic pollution, these materials break down naturally over time, or are made from recycled content that reduces waste.
Eco-friendly cases can also go a step further by being compostable, meaning you can toss them in a compost bin at the end of their life and they’ll decompose into the earth without leaving harmful residues. Plus, many brands behind these cases focus on sustainable practices, like reducing carbon emissions during production or offering recycling programs for old cases.
Are compostable phone cases actually biodegradable?
Yes, most compostable phone cases are designed to break down naturally, but how fast they do depends on the material and the conditions. In a home compost bin, some cases may take months to decompose, while in industrial composting facilities the process is quicker. These cases are usually made from plant-based bioplastics, flax or starch blends which return to the soil without leaving behind harmful residue.
Can you recycle old phone cases?
It depends on the material. Standard plastic cases are tough to recycle because they’re often made with mixed plastics and additives so they usually end up in landfills. Some brands run take-back programs where you can send your old case in and they’ll reuse or up-cycle it into new products. If your case is made from single-type plastic or a recycled blend, check with your local recycling facility but in many cases specialized programs are the best option.
Georgie Peru contributed to this report.
Check out more from our spring cleaning guide.
(15)
