Anker, the world's #1 mobile charging brand, recently announced its line of USB-C charging cables, which incorporate a proprietary blend of plant-based materials into the manufacturing process. These bio-based cables carry the new "Anchor Eco-Products" logo and are part of Anchor's eco-innovation efforts to reduce petroleum-based plastics in product development.
Solving the plastic problem
It is well known that the consumer electronics industry has a plastic problem. Approximately 622 million USB cables are used by people around the world every year. It takes about 43,000 tons of oil to manufacture these cables (according to internal tests, it takes 5 tons of oil to produce one ton of plastic) and about 9,000 tons of plastic (based on 46 grams per wire and 30% plastic content in USB cables), and these numbers will only continue to grow.
The outer sheath of Anker's new bio-based cable is sustainably manufactured using 40% plant-based materials such as corn and sugar cane. This innovative new cable reduces the use of petroleum-based plastics, such as thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs), without sacrificing quality, strength or durability.
As a global leader in mobile charging, we have a responsibility to explore ways to reduce the environmental impact of e-waste," said Steven Yang, CEO of Anchor Innovations. These bio-based cables are just the first step, and we are excited to drive this eco-innovation for our company and the entire consumer electronics industry. Anker's bio-based cables are rugged, as strong as their plastic predecessors, and can withstand up to 20,000 bends. This durability keeps the cable in use and out of landfills.
Design and Usability
Each model is available in two sizes (90cm / 180cm) and in a variety of playful colors designed to coordinate with Anker's latest line of charging accessories.
Anker 541 USB-C to Lightning: Fast charging with the MFi chip for 30W of charging speed, enough to charge iPhone 13 up to 50 percent of its capacity in just 30 minutes. Apple Certified. ($18.99-$21.99)
Anker 543 USB-C to USB-C: Fast charging with the E-Marker chip for 100W of charging speed - enough to charge a 16-inch MacBook Pro up to 38 percent of its capacity in just 30 minutes. ($16.99-$19.99).
Green Packaging
Another area where Anker has worked to improve is the actual packaging of its products. anker's latest bio-based cables use 99% less plastic packaging.
The inner tray material has been changed from plastic to paper pulp. The packaging paper is FSC certified and 100% recyclable, and printing is done with recyclable soy inks. Anchor will look to apply these packaging standards to future products.
