PelaCase Review: Cute Compostable Phone Cases That Work

PelaCase Review: Cute Compostable Phone Cases That Work

I’ve been using Pelacase for a while now – several years in fact. And I have good reason: Most phone cases are made from plastic. And when they break, or wear out, they’re not exactly easy to recycle (most curbside recycling programs won’t accept them). But as someone who uses her phone a lot for work, I can’t risk not protecting it. That’s when I decided to look into sustainable phone cases – and Pelacase was a happy discovery. I am OBSSESSED with their cute designs. Literally, if I could buy them all – I probably would. But, in the spirit of buying only what you need, I limit my purchases to one new phone case per year. Here’s my honest Pelacase review and what you need to know.

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PelaCase Review: Cute Compostable Phone Cases That Work

PelaCase Review: Cute Compostable Phone Cases That Work

First off, what’s the deal with phone cases?

Did you know over one billion phone cases are sold each year? Thing is, most of them are made from virgin plastic, which is extracted from the earth unsustainably.

And what happens when those phone cases break? They end up in landfills…and they won’t break down. They’ll outlive our grandchildren, alongside all the other plastic waste.

For that reason, I set out on a hunt to find a phone case that would protect my iphone, but not harm the earth. Ideally, a compostable phone case that would break down at the end of its life.

That’s when I stumbled across Pelacase – and I’ve been hooked ever since. They have a wide selection for all the latest iphones and android phones on the market.

PelaCase Review: Cute Compostable Phone Cases That Work

My experience with PelaCase

Okay, so now that you get why I wanted to move away from conventional phone cases, let’s get personal and focus on my individual experience with this brand. Here’s my full Pelcase review!

What did you try?

I’ve sampled a variety of phone cases over the years for my iphone 13 Pro Max. I’ve also tried their phone grip and screen protector! I paid for these products myself, FYI. My phone is currently wearing this cute birding case.

What did you think?

Now here’s the part you’re most curious about: My thoughts.

PelaCase Review: Cute Compostable Phone Cases That Work

iPhone case

I have an iphone 13 Pro Max that I strictly use to create content. That’s the phone I use Pelacase for. I’ve had it ever since 2021, which is when I started using Pelacase. My first case was a monarch butterfly print.

But before that, I actually bought a case for my then boyfriend, now husband, Steve back in 2019 (which he loved and used for years by the way, only replacing it when it broke).

I bought a new one almost every single year since then – but never because the case itself broke. It was usually because the grip I got alongside it gave out, or the pattern started to fade. Suffice it to say, Pelacase and me have a long history.

But lets talk eco specs – their cases are made from flax shive and a plant based biopolymer which breaks down naturally. Even the packaging is plastic-free – every Pelacase arrives in cardboard packaging, which is easy to recycle. No access to composting? No problem. They have a Pela 360 program that allows you to buy a new case and return your own case.

But does it actually work at protecting my phone? YES. I’ve dropped my phone more times than I’m comfortable admitting. And thank God for these cases, because my phone is still in tip top shape. Again – the iphone 13 came out in 2021, but mine’s still going strong!

The cases are super smooth, flexible, and easy to slip on. And it’s snug! It doesn’t easily slip off, even though it’s simple to put on.

On top of being sustainable and efficient, the designs for the cases are SO cute. I’m a sucker for their girly florals, animal, and plant patterns. My favorite is their seashell collection – which doesn’t actually feature seashells, just soft, feminine designs. But there’s something for everyone, even offering case customizations!

Overall, I’m hooked on this phone case brand and don’t see myself switching away from them any time soon. I recommend them to all my friends and always get so many compliments on my cases!

Rating: 10/10

Some common Q+As:

Okay so before we wrap up this review, here are some questions a lot of people have online about Pelacase. They’re not personalized or anything, but mostly generic. To make this review as helpful as possible, I decided it would be best to answer them. Plus, it may clear up any questions you have about the brand yourself!

Is Pela case good quality?

Yes! The Pelacase is good quality and won’t deteriorate or break easily – at least in my experience. And it truly does protect your phone. Honestly, I could probably make one last for years to come – the design would probably erode, but the case itself would stay intact for a long time.

However, I will say that the Pelacase grip has declined in quality – a few years back, they lasted for a long time. But I recently purchased one and it didn’t even last a month. Not sure if they changed something with the design of their grips, but I wasn’t satisfied with its performance. I might try it again at a later point to see if the quality improved but for now? I’m opting out of their grips.

Is Pela case greenwashing?

No, Pelacase isn’t greenwashing – they do a lot of good for the environment. They’re a B Corp with a takeback program, and Climate Neutral certification. They’re manufactured in Canada in their ethical Kelowna Sustainability Studio (KSS).

However, I will say they do release a lot of collections, which while cute and nice to have many design options, may promote overconsumption. My tip? Resist temptation and only buy what you need!

Do Pela cases actually decompose?

Yes! According to their website, their base material meets U.S. and E.U. standards for composting in an industrial composting facility and has a lower carbon footprint and lower greenhouse gas emissions than virgin plastic. It can also be left to compost in a home composting environment. Their cases are free of BPA, lead, cadmium and phthalates. You can also sign up for their 360 program, where you buy a new case and return your old one.

So, what do you think of my Pelacase review? Are you looking for a cute compostable phone case too? Let me know in the comments.

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By Ariana Storniolo (Palmieri)

Ariana Storniolo is the founder of Greenify-Me, a blog dedicated to zero waste and sustainability. Her work has also been featured on Going Zero Waste, Green Matters, Mother Earth Living and several other online publications.

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