When I first got my iPhone, I also had to get the obligatory protective casing for the uninsurable device, a meager piece of plastic with a thin strip of foam padding inside. Although it was green in color and served its purpose through many drops, once the plastic cracked, which most plastic eventually does, I wanted something a little more eco-friendly than another petroleum-based sheath. After all, the iPhone itself consists of enough plastic, and any shield I put on it will eventually be thrown away (or put in the recycling bin), so I decided to do some investigating as to how I could protect my phone with something other than plastic.

i-Tube

By far, one of the most ingenuitive options I found was the i-Tube. Like all of the products made by Tube, the i-Tube is a unicum made out of used bicycle tubes. The interior is lined with an elastic micro fibre to make it easy to slip your iPhone or iPod in and out. They are handmade, very durable, and absolutely unique. The company also makes belts, buckles, keyrings, USB sticks, lamps, and, of course, bicycles. It is a truly incredible product and an innovative method of recycling. My only problem with it is that it only protects the iPhone when you’re not talking on it. Should you drop your iPhone when you’re having a conversation or putting it back into the pouch, unless you can deftly place the iTube on the ground before your phone hits, it’s not going to offer much support.

Proporta Hessian Pouch

I have the same issue with some of the other products I looked at. Proporta offers a line of protective cases they refer to as their “Smart” line. I’m not sure what this says about their other products, but the Smart line does offer some nice possibilities. Unfortunately, several of them are the unicum style, which only protect your phone while they are in the case. Once you get a call or start playing with your apps, all that protects your phone are your nimble fingers. Nevertheless, the cases are made of some good stuff. The Hessian pouches are all natural and 100% biodegradable. They have an internal cork lining and a bamboo guard for extra stability.

Proporta Recycled Leather Case

Proporta also offers pouches and cases made of recycled leather. I couldn’t find out where they were recycled from. I like the cases because they offer protection even when you’re talking on the phone. However, they are a bit bulky, and the plastic clasps that hold the iPhone in place are a little flimsy. While they hold it well on the sides, the bottom clasp allows the phone to slip a little if you’re not careful.

Incipio Regrind Case

For my money, Incipio offers the best and the worst of the cases. They have an organic canvas case which is really well made and holds the iPhone very securely… a little too securely. Though the interior has a soft inner lining, the fit is a little too snug so you might just miss a call while trying to get your phone out or send it sailing if you pull to hard. Nevertheless, they also have the Regrind case, which is currently on my iPhone. Using at least 20% waste materials from their other products, each case has its own unique color and texture. Due to the grooves in the rubber surface, it’s really easy to hold and safe for even the most buttery fingers. Best of all, it protects your phone at all times. You can take pictures with it, talk on it, listen to it with headphones, and never have to worry about dropping it. Made with 100% recyclable material, this is the best of the bunch.

Steve McAllister

In addition to serving as Managing Editor and contributor to Modern Hippie Mag, Steve McAllister is an actor, musician, accomplished author, filmmaker, and the man behind Your Daily Groove. His most recent novel, The McAllister Code is available as an e-book at www.themcallistercode.com. Find Steve on Twitter, @InkenSoul. Read his reviews and articles here.

Steve McAllister  (360 Posts)

Steve McAllister, Modern Hippie Mag's resident Lifestyle Guru, describes himself as a Renaissance Man. An author, filmmaker, songwriter, and perpetual artistic experimenter, he has recently re-released his second book The Rucksack Letters into paperback to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the journey. His latest book, a comical foray into philosophical science fiction, is How to Survive an Estralarian Mind Meld. His latest artistic project is The Labyrinth of the Unbroken Path. .