The 8 Best Eco-Friendly iPhone 12 and 12 Pro Cases – CNET
The 8 Best Eco-Friendly iPhone 12 and 12 Pro Cases - CNET
Though the tech industry still has a lot of catching up to do in terms of eco-friendly products, sustainable iPhone cases are on the rise. These iPhone cases, made from recycled or biodegradable materials, are more than capable of protecting your phone while helping the environment.
Biodegradable cases won’t harm Mother Nature for years and years after you’re done using them. Some of the cases listed below are made out of both recycled plastic and plant-based materials that are biodegradable.
Eco cases can look and feel slightly different from standard thermoplastic polyurethane, or TPU, cases — particularly the wooden ones — but most people wouldn’t even realize you were using an eco-friendly case unless you told them. Many offer good drop protection, and all the cases on this list are compatible with wireless chargers.
It’s also worth noting that many of these cases are available for earlier iPhone models, including the iPhone 11 and iPhone XS, and many of those cases are discounted.
Read more: Best iPhone 12 and 12 Pro Cases
<div data-id="" data-cy="shortcodeListicleSmallImage" data-location="LIST" edition="us" superlative="Best for adding camera lens" imagegroup="{"alt":"moment-thin-case-for-iphone-12","caption":"
","credits":"Moment","imageData":{"id":"b499b6b4-5403-4db8-85ae-d580b762a8de","title":"moment-thin-case-for-iphone-12","filename":"moment-thin-case-for-iphone-12.jpg","path":"https://www.cnet.com/a/img/hub/2021/12/16/b499b6b4-5403-4db8-85ae-d580b762a8de/moment-thin-case-for-iphone-12.jpg","caption":"
","size":89916,"width":1320,"height":1320,"dateCreated":{"date":"2021-12-16 14:29:32","timezone":"UTC","timezone_type":3},"dateUpdated":{"date":"2021-12-16 14:29:39","timezone":"UTC","timezone_type":3},"needsModeration":false,"mimeType":"image/jpeg","deleted":false,"credits":null,"alt":"moment-thin-case-for-iphone-12","restricted":false,"startDate":null,"endDate":null,"preferred":false,"watermark":false,"doNotCrop":false,"doNotResize":false,"primaryCollection":null,"vanityUrl":null,"notes":null,"crop":null,"cropGravity":0,"preservedRegion":null,"isNew":false,"keywords":[],"primeColor":null,"hasWarning":false,"typeName":"content_image"},"uuid":"b499b6b4-5403-4db8-85ae-d580b762a8de","imageAltText":"moment-thin-case-for-iphone-12","imageCaption":"
","imageCredit":"Moment","imageDoNotCrop":false,"imageDoNotResize":false,"imageWatermark":false,"imageFilename":"moment-thin-case-for-iphone-12.jpg","imageDateCreated":"2021/12/16","imageWidth":1320,"imageHeight":1320,"imageParallax":"","imageCrop":"","imageEnlarge":false}” overridecaption=”
” overridecredit=”Moment” usepricing=”true” data-key=”cnetlisticle__dc50bea5-9a52-4571-a285-bdd95857d649″ position=”NaN” contenttype=”Best List – Precap” pagelayout=”Default – Article Page” showdetails=”true” class=”c-shortcodeListicle c-shortcodeListicle-smallImage g-outer-spacing-bottom-large g-border-thin-light-top g-border-thin-light-bottom g-border-thin-light-right g-border-thin-light-left”>
Moment’s iPhone 12 case is thin and comes with a soft-to-the-touch texture. It is made out of biodegradable materials so the body is compostable after the polycarbonate parts are removed. It can be tossed in your compost bin when you are done with the product.
<div data-id="" data-cy="shortcodeListicleSmallImage" data-location="LIST" edition="us" superlative="Best clear eco case" imagegroup="{"alt":"nimble-iphone-12-2","caption":"
","credits":"David Carnoy/CNET","imageData":{"id":"208e859a-efda-473c-8ea1-2be858a2dc3f","title":"nimble-iphone-12-2","filename":"nimble-iphone-12-2.jpg","path":"https://www.cnet.com/a/img/resize/60a80bca31a539a0fe26db041d9140653a685db0/2020/10/22/208e859a-efda-473c-8ea1-2be858a2dc3f/nimble-iphone-12-2.jpg?auto=webp","caption":"
","size":2515226,"width":4032,"height":2268,"dateCreated":{"date":"2020-10-22 17:12:05","timezone":"UTC","timezone_type":3},"dateUpdated":{"date":"2020-10-22 17:12:13","timezone":"UTC","timezone_type":3},"needsModeration":false,"mimeType":"image/jpeg","deleted":false,"credits":"David Carnoy/CNET","alt":"nimble-iphone-12-2","restricted":false,"startDate":null,"endDate":null,"preferred":false,"watermark":true,"doNotCrop":false,"doNotResize":false,"primaryCollection":null,"vanityUrl":null,"notes":null,"crop":null,"cropGravity":0,"preservedRegion":null,"isNew":false,"keywords":[],"primeColor":null,"hasWarning":false,"typeName":"content_image"},"uuid":"208e859a-efda-473c-8ea1-2be858a2dc3f","imageAltText":"nimble-iphone-12-2","imageCaption":"
","imageCredit":"David Carnoy/CNET","imageDoNotCrop":false,"imageDoNotResize":false,"imageWatermark":true,"imageFilename":"nimble-iphone-12-2.jpg","imageDateCreated":"2020/10/22","imageWidth":4032,"imageHeight":2268,"imageParallax":"","imageCrop":"","imageEnlarge":false}” overridecaption=”
” overridecredit=”David Carnoy/CNET” usepricing=”true” data-key=”cnetlisticle__c1225d45-71f9-4ef5-b718-47850129c4a8″ position=”NaN” contenttype=”Best List – Precap” pagelayout=”Default – Article Page” showdetails=”true” class=”c-shortcodeListicle c-shortcodeListicle-smallImage g-outer-spacing-bottom-large g-border-thin-light-top g-border-thin-light-bottom g-border-thin-light-right g-border-thin-light-left”>
You know all those compact discs you no longer listen to? Nimble makes translucent iPhone cases out of them. They’re a little pricey at $50, but some of us like the idea of protecting the latest technology with recycled technology and don’t mind paying a little extra for that. They have antimicrobial protection, are scratch-resistant and aren’t supposed to turn yellow over time. While the Disc Case is slim, it’s rated for 6-foot drop protection.
<div data-id="" data-cy="shortcodeListicleSmallImage" data-location="LIST" edition="us" superlative="Incipio's green case" imagegroup="{"alt":"incipio-organicore-iphone-case","caption":"
","credits":"David Carnoy/CNET","imageData":{"id":"2397c054-dcd0-4a03-aaaa-24612f7e9a11","title":"incipio-organicore-iphone-case","filename":"incipio-organicore-iphone-case.jpg","path":"https://www.cnet.com/a/img/resize/d5b6c98ef089225b591faca42c10f81514d6f7d9/2021/04/06/2397c054-dcd0-4a03-aaaa-24612f7e9a11/incipio-organicore-iphone-case.jpg?auto=webp","caption":"
","size":3074562,"width":4032,"height":2268,"dateCreated":{"date":"2021-04-06 16:38:58","timezone":"UTC","timezone_type":3},"dateUpdated":{"date":"2021-04-06 16:39:16","timezone":"UTC","timezone_type":3},"needsModeration":false,"mimeType":"image/jpeg","deleted":false,"credits":"David Carnoy/CNET","alt":"incipio-organicore-iphone-case","restricted":false,"startDate":null,"endDate":null,"preferred":false,"watermark":true,"doNotCrop":false,"doNotResize":false,"primaryCollection":null,"vanityUrl":null,"notes":null,"crop":null,"cropGravity":0,"preservedRegion":null,"isNew":false,"keywords":[],"primeColor":null,"hasWarning":false,"typeName":"content_image"},"uuid":"2397c054-dcd0-4a03-aaaa-24612f7e9a11","imageAltText":"incipio-organicore-iphone-case","imageCaption":"
","imageCredit":"David Carnoy/CNET","imageDoNotCrop":false,"imageDoNotResize":false,"imageWatermark":true,"imageFilename":"incipio-organicore-iphone-case.jpg","imageDateCreated":"2021/04/06","imageWidth":4032,"imageHeight":2268,"imageParallax":"","imageCrop":"","imageEnlarge":false}” overridecaption=”
” overridecredit=”David Carnoy/CNET” techobjectinfo=”{"uuid":"d6bfa02d-8e60-414d-8d09-d310b827cf69","slug":"incipio-organicore-back-cover-for-cell-phone-iph1899chl","name":"Incipio Organicore – back cover for cell phone","productType":"PRODUCT","updateType":"AUTOPID","mod":1689621366824,"displayDate":"Mon Jul 17 2023 20:16:06 GMT+0100 (British Summer Time)"}” usepricing=”true” data-key=”cnetlisticle__91b1b8ad-3c7d-4b9d-9a66-d4606778e6f4″ position=”NaN” contenttype=”Best List – Precap” pagelayout=”Default – Article Page” showdetails=”true” class=”c-shortcodeListicle c-shortcodeListicle-smallImage g-outer-spacing-bottom-large g-border-thin-light-top g-border-thin-light-bottom g-border-thin-light-right g-border-thin-light-left”>
Incipio’s Organicore cases are made with 100% compostable and biodegradable materials and also have eco-friendly packaging. Organicore cases offer 8-foot drop protection and are available in three color options: black, natural and eucalyptus (pictured here). They look and feel similar to the Torro Eco Cover cases and it’s really a toss-up between the two brands. The Torro’s main advantage is that it comes in more eye-catching colors — the red and blue do pop — and currently costs less.
<div data-id="" data-cy="shortcodeListicleSmallImage" data-location="LIST" edition="us" superlative="Customizable compostable case" imagegroup="{"alt":"casetify-ultra-compostable","caption":"
","credits":"David Carnoy/CNET","imageData":{"id":"fa69188a-3830-4e66-9bdd-35802af62bbe","title":"casetify-ultra-compostable","filename":"casetify-ultra-compostable.jpg","path":"https://www.cnet.com/a/img/resize/c20169b9ccfd07c06abf1270c4be819a2de88da3/2021/07/27/fa69188a-3830-4e66-9bdd-35802af62bbe/casetify-ultra-compostable.jpg?auto=webp","caption":"
","size":3672504,"width":4032,"height":2268,"dateCreated":{"date":"2021-07-27 16:55:03","timezone":"UTC","timezone_type":3},"dateUpdated":{"date":"2021-07-27 16:55:11","timezone":"UTC","timezone_type":3},"needsModeration":false,"mimeType":"image/jpeg","deleted":false,"credits":"David Carnoy/CNET","alt":"casetify-ultra-compostable","restricted":false,"startDate":null,"endDate":null,"preferred":false,"watermark":true,"doNotCrop":false,"doNotResize":false,"primaryCollection":null,"vanityUrl":null,"notes":null,"crop":null,"cropGravity":0,"preservedRegion":null,"isNew":false,"keywords":[],"primeColor":null,"hasWarning":false,"typeName":"content_image"},"uuid":"fa69188a-3830-4e66-9bdd-35802af62bbe","imageAltText":"casetify-ultra-compostable","imageCaption":"
","imageCredit":"David Carnoy/CNET","imageDoNotCrop":false,"imageDoNotResize":false,"imageWatermark":true,"imageFilename":"casetify-ultra-compostable.jpg","imageDateCreated":"2021/07/27","imageWidth":4032,"imageHeight":2268,"imageParallax":"","imageCrop":"","imageEnlarge":false}” overridecaption=”
” overridecredit=”David Carnoy/CNET” usepricing=”true” data-key=”cnetlisticle__9f4ee566-0633-4698-b64b-cb7b4407e824″ position=”NaN” contenttype=”Best List – Precap” pagelayout=”Default – Article Page” showdetails=”true” class=”c-shortcodeListicle c-shortcodeListicle-smallImage g-outer-spacing-bottom-large g-border-thin-light-top g-border-thin-light-bottom g-border-thin-light-right g-border-thin-light-left”>
Casetify recently launched its new Ultra Compostable Cases. Compared to its earlier Conscious cases, this new eco model increases the drop-protection to 6.6 feet and is made with the 100% compostable, plant-based material Ecotify, the company’s proprietary blend of biopolymers, starch and bamboo grain.
<div data-id="" data-cy="shortcodeListicleSmallImage" data-location="LIST" edition="us" superlative="Under $10 option" imagegroup="{"alt":"generic-eco-iphone-case.png","caption":"
","credits":"Amazon","imageData":{"id":"e2a031d0-8850-4410-addd-784d54609651","title":"eplanita-eco-case","filename":"eplanita-eco-case.jpg","path":"https://www.cnet.com/a/img/hub/2021/07/27/e2a031d0-8850-4410-addd-784d54609651/eplanita-eco-case.jpg","caption":"
","size":284924,"width":1500,"height":1125,"dateCreated":{"date":"2021-07-27 15:38:37","timezone":"UTC","timezone_type":3},"dateUpdated":{"date":"2021-07-27 15:38:41","timezone":"UTC","timezone_type":3},"needsModeration":false,"mimeType":"image/jpeg","deleted":false,"credits":"Amazon","alt":"eplanita-eco-case","restricted":false,"startDate":null,"endDate":null,"preferred":false,"watermark":false,"doNotCrop":false,"doNotResize":false,"primaryCollection":null,"vanityUrl":null,"notes":null,"crop":null,"cropGravity":0,"preservedRegion":null,"isNew":false,"keywords":[],"primeColor":null,"hasWarning":false,"typeName":"content_image"},"uuid":"e2a031d0-8850-4410-addd-784d54609651","imageAltText":"generic-eco-iphone-case.png","imageCaption":"
","imageCredit":"Amazon","imageDoNotCrop":false,"imageDoNotResize":false,"imageWatermark":false,"imageFilename":"eplanita-eco-case.jpg","imageDateCreated":"2021/07/27","imageWidth":1500,"imageHeight":1125,"imageParallax":"","imageCrop":"","imageEnlarge":false}” overridecaption=”
” overridecredit=”Amazon” usepricing=”true” data-key=”cnetlisticle__41f1ce95-7b55-42ba-9f25-dc9a8eb839e5″ position=”NaN” contenttype=”Best List – Precap” pagelayout=”Default – Article Page” showdetails=”true” class=”c-shortcodeListicle c-shortcodeListicle-smallImage g-outer-spacing-bottom-large g-border-thin-light-top g-border-thin-light-bottom g-border-thin-light-right g-border-thin-light-left”>
This is the only case on the list I haven’t yet tried, but the Amazon user reviews for it are positive and it costs only $9. Eplantita says its case is built from 100% biodegradable wheat straw and recyclable TPU. It fully covers your phone and has raised edges, so that should help with any face-down drops. It’s available in several color options.