What if you could guarantee exactly how much you’d get, based on how long you’ve owned it, at the time of purchase? This is now a reality, via the company Tech Forward. You can buy a product at any store you like, then purchase their Guaranteed Buyback service, which covers a wide range of electronics, from MP3 players to desktop computers.

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Earth Tones is a phone and Internet company that donates 100% of its profits to environmental causes. That’s because it’s run by the environmental organizations it funds. If you’re not satisfied with choosing between AT&T and AT&T, but you still want the shiny silver faceplate with anytime minutes, then consider Earth Tones. In addition to cell phones, Earth Tones also provides long distance home phone, dial-up, and portable high-speed Internet services.

Their website may not have 3D animated effects, and my new phone can’t play itunes or brew my morning tea, but the phone was free, the plan’s inexpensive, and my satisfaction is solid green. (For those who are interested, many morning-tea-brewing-type phones are also available, like the Razr V3; you can even use your new iPhone.)

Which environmental non-profits does Earth Tones fund? Here’s a roll call:

• The State Public Interest Research Groups (PIRGs)
  
• The National Environmental Law Center
  
• The Green Life
  Campaign to Save the Environment
  
• Toxics Action Center
• ecopledge.com
• Recycling Action Campaign (promoting recycling in Massachusetts)
• Free The Planet!

Earth Tones still works through AT&T’s Cingular phone network, but for the same monthly rate your money can fund environmental initiatives. Here’s some more good news: if you currently own a phone that works with AT&T or if you have been yearning to get your hands on an iphone, you can use either with Earth Tones’ service.

Fewer cell phones these days contain toxic materials such as cadmium and lead, as an article from Inter Press Service discusses. However, your old phone may still contain these toxins; it is important to dispose of it safely. With proper cell phone disposal, you can prevent screen and battery chemicals from leeching into landfills (see this article from Cell Phones Etc.), raise funds for charity, and even earn a tax deduction. If you’re changing cell phones or getting rid of an old one, make sure it doesn’t end up in the trash. Visit earth911.org or recyclemycellphone.org, or donate your phone through your current wireless provider at the web addresses listed in this article on About.com.

Resources:

Also, see the following Tip ‘o the Day articles about environmental responsibility and cell phones, written by my fellow bloggers on Green Options:

Tip o’ the Day: Keep Going and Going and Going to Recycle Your Batteries by Rebecca Carter.
Tip o’ the Day: Unplug that Cell Phone Charger by Amy Stodghill.

Photo: http://www.flickr.com/photos/tammer/21241151/

When your phone is charging it's only using about 5% of the power it sucks from your outlet. That other 95% adds up to a lot of wasted energy, especially if you leave it plugged in minus the phone.

Of course you could get rid of that conventional charger all together and go wireless with Wild Charge, or opt for a solar powered charger. (Solar powered cell phones are still a little ways off.)

Soon your cell phone may even remind you to unplug. Last year, the European Commission's mobile industry task force (led by Nokia) announced that cell phones will include alerts to remind people to unplug the charger once the phone is fully charged.

Amy says: I used to be very guilty of leaving the charger plugged in. Now I've got into the habit of disconnecting the charger from the wall, then disconnecting the phone from the charger. It seems easier to remember doing it in that order rather than the other way around.

More information:
Tree Hugger

The New Mexico-based Center for Biological Diversity has turned a library of endangered species sounds into free, downloadable ringtones. The institute wants to utilize mobile media, which has already had an influence on other political and social campaigns. They're hoping that the rare and endangered species ringtones will get the younger generation interested in learning more about these species, and hopefully to bring awareness and action to their cause.

The land and marine animal selection is a bit limited, but there are a wide variety of owl and frog sounds, and a few South American birds listed. But the options will grow as new recordings are submitted to the center. The poison arrow dart frog will soon be added after their scientist gets back from recording it in the jungles of Panama.

After listening to a few sounds online I was curious as to how loud the "ring" would be. Don't let the seemingly soft Mp3 preview fool you. Once on the phone they come through loud and clear.

I downloaded the Orca and the Ash-breasted Tit-Tyrant. It took a couple of minutes for the SMS to come through (and there are options specifically for Verizon wireless customers, including knowing what model of phone you have), but the process was simple.

Now when I get a call (Orca) or a text (the Tit-Tyrant), I'll be able to share a few facts about the species and get people thinking about nature for a few minutes in their day.

Listen and download endangered species ringtones.

Via Environmental News Network

CNET just featured Konarka Technologies, a company that makes flexible solar panels out of organic materials. The cool thing about these little solar cells is that they would work in sunlight AND under interior lights (not unlike your solar powered calculator).

Other solar mobiles in the works include researchers at Fraunhofer Institute in Germany. TreeHugger featured this phone last year that uses high efficiency solar cells, which need at least 2 hours of sunlight a day (without the sun it can be powered by the good old fashioned plug in charger.)

Japanese company, NTT DoCoMo, has a prototype of a small solar powered phone featured last fall in Gadget magazine, T3.

I don't know about you, but I think I've developed a mild case of mobile technology envy…