I was made aware of Pela through online advertising and was quickly drawn in with their use of sustainable materials and awareness of their environmental impact. I’ve used one of these cases for about a year now and am incredibly pleased with its performance.
Pela are a brand of phone case who produce their cases using compostable bioplastics. As a brand they have the goal of creating a waste free future and are therefore developing products made from environmentally sensible materials as well as educating the global community and encouraging them to make a positive impact on the planet.
The founder, Jeremy Lang experimented with new materials for years since witnessing the damage that plastic is causing in 2010. Pela have put together 4″C’s”, a set of core values that they operate by to help them and their community of stay on the right track;
“Community- Commit to a culture that builds a vibrant community”
“Creativity- Foster creativity to inspire innovation”
“Consciousness- Live with awareness and consciousness of the impact of our choices”
“Courage- Embrace courage by taking action despite uncertainty”
I think these values show a good understanding of the company’s impact and also encourages others to follow their lead.
The plastic itself is made from a starch-based biopolymer and waste flax straw is added for strength. The result is a soft, tactile material that comes in 12 various colours, appealing to a wide range of customers. The cases meet US and EU standards for composting in an industrial facility but can also be disposed of in standard domestic compost bins. I think it is particularly important for phone cases to make as little impact on the planet as possible once used due to the fact that people often now upgrade their phone annually making their old cases obsolete. Pela’s minimal and plastic free packaging shows that the entire life cycle of the product has been considered.
I think this consideration of the product’s environmental impact over its entire life as well as the innovative use of a new material displays great design and I hope Pela will extend their product line to include more everyday items.
Sources:
Jess Vinnels' Design Blog 