34: Revolutionizing Smartphones: Fairphone's Path to Sustainability and Ethical Tech with Founder Bas van Abel

SustainNOW Podcast - Exploring Climate Solutions with Innovators and Entrepreneurs

In this episode of Sustain Now, we speak with Bas van Abel, the founder of Fairphone, the world’s first smartphone company designed with sustainability and ethical practices at its core. Bas shares his journey from a curious child fascinated by how things work, to becoming a pioneer in the sustainable tech industry. After seeing the waste and harm caused by the smartphone industry, he was inspired to create a company that would address these issues head-on, starting with the Fairphone crowdfunding campaign that eventually grew into a successful business.

Fairphone is revolutionizing the smartphone industry by focusing on reducing electronic waste, promoting a circular economy, and ensuring a transparent and ethical supply chain. Their modular phones allow for easy repair and upgrading, significantly extending the device’s lifespan and reducing the need for constant replacements. Fairphone is also committed to using recycled materials and closely monitoring the procurement of minerals to ensure they are sourced ethically, avoiding conflict minerals and minimizing environmental damage.

In this episode, Bas talks about his motivation for starting Fairphone, the challenges of changing the smartphone industry, and the company's impact in terms of CO2 reduction, e-waste recycling, and customer engagement. He also discusses the future of Fairphone, the importance of sustainable tech, and how the company is pushing for systemic change in how smartphones are made and consumed.

Join us for an inspiring conversation on how Bas van Abel and Fairphone are paving the way for more ethical, sustainable technology in an industry often criticized for its environmental and human rights impacts.

Key Topics:

• 03:00 – What drives Bas van Abel
• 10:00 – From crowdfunding campaign to a product
• 33:00 – What makes Fairphone sustainable
• 35:00 – Fairphone’s growth and future focus

Don’t miss this insightful episode on ethical tech and how one company is changing the smartphone industry for the better!

Capíttulos

1. 34: Revolutionizing Smartphones: Fairphone's Path to Sustainability and Ethical Tech with Founder Bas van Abel (00:00:00)

2. What is your driving force? (00:03:00)

3. What was your inspiration? (00:06:10)

4. How did Fairphone campaign turn into a product? (00:10:00)

5. What does connectivity mean to you? (00:15:45)

6. What are your thoughts on smartphones for kids? (00:19:26)

7. What is your life motto? (00:20:13)

8. What is the companies current standing? (00:32:00)

9. What makes Fairphone sustainable? (00:33:00)

10. What do you need to focus on to grow and be sustainable? (00:35:00)

11. What market is Fairphone in? (00:38:00)

12. What is your current role in Fairphone? (00:41:00)

13. If you could go back in time and restart the process, what would you do differently? (00:41:45)

14. What makes you confident that we will solve the climate crisis? (00:49:00)