A tech start-up with stellar eco credentials has debuted the world’s first protective smartphone case to be made from discarded fishing nets and scrap aluminium. The POPSICASE protective iPhone case also features a unique integrated handle, which slides out from the cover to make using the phone both safer and easier with just one hand.
The POPSICASE makes unique use of abandoned fishing nets, collecting the marine waste at 17 ports along the Mediterranean coastline. The nets are washed, chopped and melted and the new, sturdy material transferred to the POPSICASE factory where it’s injected into a mould to create the case cover. POPSICASE also collects and recycles scrap aluminium, which it turns into a tough, durable and ergonomic handle which is attached to the POPSICASE cover. Integrated into the case, it slides out when needed and can be pushed back into the case when normal phone use resumes.
The POPSICASE is the invention of architect, set designer and sculptor, Pablo Erlandsen who developed the case’s intuitive aesthetic after trying and failing to take a picture with one hand. After realising modern smartphones can’t be used naturally with single digits, he created a handle to attach to his phone cover.
Co-founder María José Pedragosa said, “We use our smartphones dozens of times a day but, if you have to work at the same time, or need one hand to carry something, it’s impossible to hold your phone naturally and maintain a stable, balanced position. A handle was the obvious solution.
“In addition to making a case which is actually useful, we are very aware of our environmental responsibilities. We love the environment and we take special care in minimizing our impact – what’s great about our choice of materials is that fishing nets are constantly being renewed. Until very recently these nets, mostly made from nylon, were thrown into garbage containers and treated as waste, increasing the contamination of our land and seas. Thanks to the collaboration of people like the Fisherman’s Guild, these nets are now being collected for POPSICASE in 17 Mediterranean ports, which means less pollution and less waste.”
Internationally patented in 34 countries, the POPSICASE’s ultra-useful handle ensures users can hold their iPhone intuitively and safely, whether snapping a picture in a new location or lying on the sofa talking, listening to music or recording a video. The strong recycled handle offers the necessary rigidity to keep the attached smartphone safe and stable making it perfect for taking images with any other accessories needed, while also allowing seamless, natural control with just one hand.
The POPSICASE skin is soft-touch, hardy and durable and ultra slimline for seamless performance. The packaging too is similarly considered – it’s beautiful and reusable and can be put to work as a phone carry case once the POPSICASE has been unloaded.
The POPSICASE for the iPhone 7 is currently crowdfunding on Kickstarter. To become a backer and to find out more, visit: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1417897895/popsicase-the-eco-friendly-case-that-makes-it-easy or www.popsicase.com
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