Gamechanger

Fairphone: fair and sustainable smartphones

Fairphone green flowers pink

Fairphone

Facts

Mission:
Create a viable market for ethical electronics and motivate the entire industry to act more responsibly.

Fund: PDENH

Contributes to transition:
Circular transition

Contributes to transition:
Circular transition

Contributes to SDG(s):

 

Fairphone 4 on table parts

This is how Fairphone works

Fairphone develops modular smartphones that are easy to maintain and upgrade. This significantly increases the lifespan of the devices and reduces electronic waste. The smartphones are manufactured using recycled and responsibly sourced materials as much as possible, such as Fairtrade-certified gold, fairly sourced cobalt and silver. In addition, Fairphone actively works on better working conditions at suppliers and subcontractors, for example by encouraging fair wages, safer working environments and greater employee empowerment.

The impact

Fairphone's innovative approach has a positive impact both locally and globally:
● Reduction of e-waste: Thanks to its modular design and long lifespan, Fairphone helps to significantly reduce electronic waste.
● Sustainable raw materials: Fairphone uses fair and recycled materials in all its products and encourages the use of conflict-free and Fairtrade-certified raw materials.
● Better working conditions: In collaboration with local partners, Fairphone is committed to fairer wages and safer working conditions in mining and manufacturing.

Collaboration and support

Fairphone’s mission is made possible by working with various stakeholders, including NGOs, local producers and knowledge institutions. The financial support from the PDENH fund since 2018 has been essential in this. Thanks to this support, Fairphone was able to further improve the sustainability of its production processes and expand the market for ethical electronics. Fairphone proves that innovation, sustainability and social impact can go hand in hand in the world of consumer electronics.

Circular transition

From a linear to a circular economy

Related
Inspiration

6 May 2025

PDENH: catalyst for sustainable economic growth in North Holland

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How does a fund such as the Participation Fund for Sustainable Economy North Holland (PDENH), which has been part of ROM InWest since 2024, contribute to...

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