In a hand-dug tunnel, a child as young as 6 mines cobalt that could end up in your iPhone. Low traceability lets companies buy, refine and sell cobalt from both child-labor mines and industrial mining operators.
Stop 2 of 6
The raw material problem begins before a device reaches the shelf. But we can fight overproduction by avoiding overconsumption.
16 billion
Smartphones in circulation right now. That's 2 per person, for the entire global population (yes, including babies).
80%
Of a smartphone's carbon footprint is generated before its first minute of use.
266 kg
The amount of raw materials 1 single smartphone needs, more than 1,000 times its own weight.
Repair it, resell it, or choose refurbished instead of buying new.
Back Market and Green Alliance are calling for a Westminster Hall debate in October 2026 to bring the issue of smartphone upgrades to Parliament.