via Apple
Reviews for Apple’s “FineWoven” cases are in, and opinions range from mild dislike to outright hatred. It could be Apple’s most disappointing product line in years, as it has replaced all of Apple’s leather products. That includes their cases, wallets, and watch bands.
What is Apple’s “FineWoven” material? It’s “made from durable microtwill” with a “soft, suedelike [sic] feel,” according to Apple. It’s a fabric made partially—68%—with recycled materials. Apple introduced the material to replace their leather accessories for ecological reasons. However, the cases may do more damage than their leather counterparts. In fact, if early reviews (and returns) are any indicator, Apple has seriously fumbled on their earth-friendly mindset. A great case for the environment would be something that lasts the duration of the lifetime of the phone, protects it well, looks great so users are less likely to buy more cases, and is made from sustainable materials. In nearly every way, Apple drops the ball.
A Leather Alternative
Leather comes from the tanned hides of animals. Their skin. It’s a little gross if you think about it too much. However, it is an eco-conscious material, on its own. It’s biodegradable, after all. However, it’s not perfect. While leather has been typically thought of as a byproduct of the meat industry, it’s becoming more of a primary good. Animals are raised solely for their hides, making the material as damaging to the environment as meat. Meat consumption leads to increased land usage, water usage, and greenhouse gas emissions. As it turns out, that also applies to using hides. In some cases, animals, like calves (sweet little baby cows) are raised and killed solely for the softness of the leather, often used in high-end accessories and watch bands. Some of these are animals raised for their hides, not their meat, adding to the problem of meat consumption instead of being a byproduct of the meat industry. Therefore, clearly the need to move past leather accessories is a valid one. Apple just may not have done this the right way.
Apple’s cases include only 68% recycled material. That’s 32% more plastic being introduced into the environment with every case. The first step in the green adage, “reduce, reuse, recycle,” is reduce. By still using plastic in the construction of these cases, Apple hasn’t reduced the material that is the worst for the environment in their cases. Even when it comes to the recycled FineWoven material itself, they’re still nearly using 1/3 of their materials from new plastic.
A better alternative would be compostable material. Pela, Incipio, Casetify, UAG, and many others have made use of materials made from bio-sourced materials that compost and break down on their own. These materials can hold a shape and absorb impact to protect your device. Once you’re done with them, you can throw them in a compost heap and they’ll return to the earth.
Apple may not believe these materials have a nice high-end feel. And that’s fair, they often don’t. However, Apple could use the stiffer, more bamboo-focused materials as the inner plastic to create the shape of the case, and still use recycled material on the outside, like their “FineWoven” material (but, preferably, with 100% recycled material). However, then Apple would have to start a program they should absolutely start anyway: an accessory recycling program. Apple could take these cases in, split out the FineWoven material from the compostable material, compost one part and further recycle the fabric. Apple needs a recycling program. They talk about how their products can be recycled, but always conveniently leave out all their accessories that end up in a trash can because they won’t recycle them.
Scratched at First Use
Screenshot via Amazon listing here.
The FineWoven cases cost as much as Apple’s high-end leather cases. You’re dropping $60 for one of these cases. You’d expect it to feel more high-end than Apple’s plastic or silicone cases then, right? Unfortunately, reviews have been abysmal. Reviewers point out that the material feels a bit like neoprene, like a windbreaker jacket. This makes it a bit slippery. On top of that, it scratches incredibly easily. A fingernail can leave a permanent scratch on the case without much difficulty or force. Unlike leather, that won’t patina into a worn, smooth texture, it’ll just look terrible forever. If you drop your slippery FineWoven case and catch it, you could leave a mark on it if you’re not careful with your fingernails. If you don’t catch it, the ground will scuff it up for you.
The outside isn’t the only part that lacks durability. The inside is just a thin and flimsy plastic frame. Unlike the leather cases, where the leather could add shock protection, Apple’s FineWoven material is thin and won’t absorb an impact. On the back and inside of the case, Apple added a thin layer of memory foam, to try to give the case the more high-end feel of natural leather and microfiber. That’s right, gone is the soft microfiber lining, instead it’s this rougher FineWoven material with a bit of memory foam to trick you into thinking it’s softer than it is. The end result is a case that is reportedly easily damaged, likely won’t protect your phone as well as their other cases, and doesn’t feel like a high end case. Users agree: this case isn’t worth $60.
Double the Shipping
Many reviewers have stated that they returned their FineWoven accessories right away. That’s a lot of waste. This means Apple had to ship these products twice, once to the consumer, and again on the return. On top of that, Apple has no recycling program for accessories, and doesn’t sell refurbished accessories either. That means all that partially recycled material is ending up in a landfill. With Apple’s refusal to recycle their own accessories, that’s always been the ultimate destination for all of their accessories. Apple’s not committed to further recycling these products. Instead, they’re used and trashed. Thanks to the low quality of the cases and materials used, that process of factory fresh to trash could be a turn around time of a week or two, rather than a few years.
An Environmental Failure
“Everything you’ve heard is true: Apple’s new FineWoven iPhone cases and accessories are categorically terrible.”
– Allison Johnson, The Verge
Apple claims their new FineWoven cases have “significantly lower emissions compared to leather.” But does that include return trips? Does it include the additional plastic waste Apple’s creating with each case? Does it include that the cases don’t last as long and will lead to the purchase of other cases?
Of course not!
FineWoven is a marketing attempt, and a failure a that. These cases increase waste and have hidden emissions impacts that Apple won’t talk about. On top of that, Apple won’t ensure that these products are recycled at the end of their lifecycle. The only hope is that Apple may have put the idea of more environmentally-friendly cases in the minds of consumers. Perhaps, fed up with their “FineWoven” cases, consumers will try to find other sustainable cases. Maybe it’ll inch the industry towards better products.
Of course, the most environmentally-friendly approach Apple could take would be to eliminate the need for cases entirely. This would mean more small devices like the iPhone 13 mini, which are less likely to break on a drop, creating thicker bezels around the front and back glass to put a layer of TPE between the glass and the hard edges of the phone, to reduce the shock going through the case, and slightly thicker devices, which will be easier to grip and protect the camera lenses better. Apple could even add more battery space so users don’t have to replace the battery every few years. Instead, Apple continues to create a market for cases, and those cases still aren’t environmentally friendly.
Don’t let the marketing fool you, Apple isn’t taking the steps towards a more environmentally-friendly company that they claim. In fact, in the case of the FineWoven products, they may have taken a step back.
Sources:
- Tim Hardwick, MacRumors
- Allison Johnson, The Verge
- Andrew O’Hara, AppleInsider
- Stephen Warwick, iMore