What does 20 million tonnes of electronic waste look like? Well, it looks something like a large container train full of decaying technology stretched all the way around the world. Every year we dispose of at least that quantity of 'e-waste' and our phones are one of the biggest causes. The solution? Phonebloks -- the mobile phone you'll never need to throw away.
The only phone you'll ever need? —
What does 20 million tonnes of electronic waste look like? Well, it looks something like a large container train full of decaying technology stretched all the way around the world. Every year we dispose of at least that quantity of 'e-waste' and our phones are one of the biggest causes. The solution? Phonebloks -- the mobile phone you'll never need to throw away.
Courtesy Phonebloks
When electronics decide to give up it's usually just one component that's causing the problem. Enter Phonebloks: a fully customizable phone built from, you guessed it, blocks. Phone getting slow? Change the memory block. Like taking pictures? Update your camera. The blocks then attach easily to a base which connects them all together.
Building blocks —
When electronics decide to give up it's usually just one component that's causing the problem. Enter Phonebloks: a fully customizable phone built from, you guessed it, blocks. Phone getting slow? Change the memory block. Like taking pictures? Update your camera. The blocks then attach easily to a base which connects them all together.
courtesy phonebloks
The designers at Phonebloks are not the only ones seeking a solution to the planet's growing e-waste problem. One of the zanier concepts by Daizi Zheng is a phone powered by a 'bio battery' that feeds on the sugars and enzymes in Coca Cola <em>and </em> it's supposed to last 3-4 times longer than a lithium battery.
Soda powered phone —
The designers at Phonebloks are not the only ones seeking a solution to the planet's growing e-waste problem. One of the zanier concepts by Daizi Zheng is a phone powered by a 'bio battery' that feeds on the sugars and enzymes in Coca Cola and it's supposed to last 3-4 times longer than a lithium battery.
Courtesy Daizi Zheng / Yanko Design
The Leaf phone concept by Anastasia Zharkova not only looks like a leaf but behaves like one too. It is fed by the sun and, made from wholly organic materials, it's also biodegradable.
Leaf phone —
The Leaf phone concept by Anastasia Zharkova not only looks like a leaf but behaves like one too. It is fed by the sun and, made from wholly organic materials, it's also biodegradable.
Courtesy Anastasia Zharkova
Eventually we might be able to make our electronics disappear altogether. Researchers at the University of Illinois and Tufts University have developed a fully soluble yet robust electric circuit that one day could eradicate the environmental impact of our fast-paced gadget industry forever.
Soluble circuits —
Eventually we might be able to make our electronics disappear altogether. Researchers at the University of Illinois and Tufts University have developed a fully soluble yet robust electric circuit that one day could eradicate the environmental impact of our fast-paced gadget industry forever.
Courtesy Fio Omenetto / Beckman Insitute / Tufts University
With the latest in sustainable tech you don't even have to hope for sun to guarantee you power. Now all you need is the inevitable force of gravity. It takes only 3 seconds to lift the weight that powers <a href="http://deciwatt.org/" target="_blank" target="_blank">GravityLight</a>, which in turn creates 25 minutes of light on its descent.<br />It can be used over and over again with no running costs.
Gravity light —
With the latest in sustainable tech you don't even have to hope for sun to guarantee you power. Now all you need is the inevitable force of gravity. It takes only 3 seconds to lift the weight that powers GravityLight, which in turn creates 25 minutes of light on its descent.
It can be used over and over again with no running costs.
Courtesy GravityLight
So simple yet so effective, like all the best designs, USBCELL is a battery that can be charged via USB so you never need to throw them away.
USB Cell —
So simple yet so effective, like all the best designs, USBCELL is a battery that can be charged via USB so you never need to throw them away.
courtes USBCELL
It really is that simple. Just add water and this can-shaped clock will use the latest in 'long life H2O technology' to keep it ticking.
Water-powered clock —
It really is that simple. Just add water and this can-shaped clock will use the latest in 'long life H2O technology' to keep it ticking.
Courtesy H2O Power
It's wireless, it looks great and it's 92% biodegradable. iZen's latest keyboard is made from bamboo, which is one of the world's most renewable and compostable resources.
Compostable keyboard —
It's wireless, it looks great and it's 92% biodegradable. iZen's latest keyboard is made from bamboo, which is one of the world's most renewable and compostable resources.
Courtesy iZen
With Ecoxpower you can keep fit, charge your electronics and save the planet all at the same time. What more could you want? Attach the device to your bike and your pedaling will power the headlight and your smartphone or GPS too.
Pedal power —
With Ecoxpower you can keep fit, charge your electronics and save the planet all at the same time. What more could you want? Attach the device to your bike and your pedaling will power the headlight and your smartphone or GPS too.
Courtesy Ecoxgear
Already a huge hit in the developing world, Nokero's solar-powered light bulbs, which glow just as intensely as a standard light bulb, are the simplest way to reduce both energy waste and your electricity bill.<br /><br />Compiled by Monique Rivalland
Light relief —
Already a huge hit in the developing world, Nokero's solar-powered light bulbs, which glow just as intensely as a standard light bulb, are the simplest way to reduce both energy waste and your electricity bill.

Compiled by Monique Rivalland
Courtesy Nokero