Say hello to the world’s most ethical power bank
Being a conscious consumer isn’t necessarily an easy feat. Tech is notoriously difficult to repair and replace. But when it comes to portable power banks for your gear, it doesn’t have to be. Not anymore, anyway.
At gomi, we’re proud to have created the world’s first power bank that utilises high-quality e-bike batteries (cells) and is crafted from 100% ‘non-recyclable’ plastics sourced from waste — unlike competitive models, of which the majority feature lithium batteries. This, however, requires mining for materials such as cobalt which have an extremely high cost to human life.
Even though people have a surface-level understanding of the effects of waste, there’s still an insatiable appetite for cobalt around the world. And it’s leading to unsafe work environments and practices, child labour vialations, and fuelling exploitation in countries like the Democratic Republic of Congo where the global majority is mined.
Responsible brands and businesses in the tech industry, along with human rights organisations, are publically calling for reform and scrutinising their supply chains, but most are left frustrated with the results.
Forget mining the earth — we mine the urban.
To combat the need to mine for materials, we use existing high-capacity e-bike batteries. This process taps into the current geological epoch, ‘mine the Anthropocene’, an inventive and strategic approach to design that works with already-existing materials like products, as well as architecture and infrastructures, that have been previously processed or mined.
What else makes the gomi power bank the most ethical charger on the market? Where and who makes them.
Handcrafted in our Brighton-based studio, the gomi power bank is largely made up of parts sourced locally. And our UK makers are paid well above the Brighton Living Wage, while any international craftsmen or workers we hire are compensated above the regional minimum wage (in keeping with local labour practises, of course).
Due to our sustainable approach to design and materials, the gomi power bank is 50% less CO2 intensive in manufacturing than other power banks of the same capacity produced with virgin materials.
“But wait, if you use old e-bike batteries, isn’t the capacity going to be significantly lower than buying something new? And isn’t it less safe?”
Not the case — the gomi power banks have an almost-full (roughly 90%) capacity, powered by batteries that are actually safer than those found in normal portable charger batteries. And to ensure this, we have a rigorous testing process that goes a little like this:
1. Initial Inspection: we meticulously inspect every cell harvested from e-bikes. This includes checking for any signs of rust, dents or other defects. Even the smallest imperfections, like a tiny rust spot, will disqualify a cell from use in our power banks.
2. Performance Testing: once the cells pass our visual inspection, we then test their ability to store and discharge power. Each cell is charged and discharged eight times (a process that takes about eight hours), as this helps us ensure the cells perform reliably under real-world conditions.
3. Pack Assembly and Testing: after assembling the battery packs, we conduct another round of charging and discharging for eight hours. This final testing phase verifies the integrity of the complete battery pack.
And it’s these safety checks that allow us — and our customers — to be confident in the high quality and peak performance of our products.
Then there’s the deft and conscious modular design that’s built for longevity, and crafted with the end of tech obsolescence in mind. When most products would break down and need replacing, the gomi power bank allows for unlimited repairs: they can be broken down into parts because no two components are glued together during the manufacturing process. This means our talented team can easily fix the one specific area that needs some love and attention.
What about protection? We now make practical pouches that’ll keep your earth-friendly gomi power bank safe. They’re hand-crafted in the UK by Angus Clifford from upcycled delivery driver uniforms and lined with a super-soft inner fabric for added cushioning.
So, make sure you’re never running on empty, rushing into the first electrical store you can find and buy the cheapest option ever again. Choose the world’s most ethical power bank. gomi.
