Makers of mobile phones produce few 'green' models with biodegradable, recycled or fully recyclable materials. Also, although most vendors offer recycling options, less than five percent of the world's handsets will be recycled ethically in the end, according to a report released by ABI Research on Monday.
Mobile phones are a growing source of potentially toxic electronics waste. Of roughly 150 million handsets retired every year, fewer than 20 percent are recycled, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.
The ABI report suggested it is unprofitable for most companies to release dedicated eco-friendly models on a massive scale.
"Instead, the effort is towards compliance and the trickling down of proven green elements throughout entire product lines," Kevin Burden, the firm's research director, said in a statement.
Expanded regulation and corporate initiatives have reduced the use of toxic ingredients in electronics. The EU's Reduction of Hazardous Substances rules have pushed nearly all major vendors to cut or exclude heavy metals, PVC and brominated flame retardants.
ABI Research cited Samsung, Nokia and Sony Ericsson as advancing efforts to make mobile phones even greener. Those brands also were at the top of the heap in the latest quarterly Greenpeace Guide to Greener Electronics.
Samsung released three models encased in corn-based plastic this summer in Asia and Europe.
Among this year's concept designs, Nokia's Remade flip phone uses recycled cans, plastic bottles and car tires. Nokia said that up to 60 percent of the metal in its available handsets comes from recycled materials.
Sony Ericsson described in September a GreenHeart concept phone, utilising recycled and plant-based plastics. If produced, it would consume only 3.5mW in standby mode.
A notable entrant in this year's Greener Gadgets Design Competition was the Bamboo concept handset, which, if buried in the ground, would biodegrade, freeing embedded bamboo seeds to sprout a plant.
The ABI report notes a Nokia survey in which 76 percent of respondents said they preferred to buy from businesses that promote environmental responsibility.
Various other consumer polls have indicated that a small but growing percentage of shoppers seek to buy green electronics, and some will accept a price premium.
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