Jabra’s Evolve2 30 reviewed

We look at the Jabra Evolve2 30, which has been created with Eco-friendly packaging and aiming to use more responsibly sourced materials. 

Jabra Evolve2 30 reviewed

For the Irish Tech News podcasts we have been using an earlier version of the Jabra headset so we were interested to check out this new product by them. First up it plays well with the Mac that we used to read test it, it identified the product and seamlessly synched up with it. In terms of the unboxing before we even plugged it in, it came in an outer grey paper / stiffened card packet. This was positive in terms of no plastic packaging, with soy based ink. Then, inside the packet, the headphones sit inside a cloth but stiffened bag. This felt soft to touch, but also holding it’s shape to provide protection for the gear inside.

This packaging certainly seems like a positive step towards more sustainable materials for those aspects that don’t need to be made of non-recycled products. It does position Jabra as one to watch, in what they acknowledge will be a journey towards increased suitability. The headphones themselves then sit comfortably on your ears, and still light too. The mike operates in a similar fashion to previous Jabra products so there were no issues in terms of capturing sound.

It seems like a cool product, and a positive step towards products which tread more lightly on the planet. We liked them, and would be happy to recommend them to others to use for podcasts and calls.

More about the product ->

The Evolve2 range now has packaging that includes less plastic and uses more responsibly sourced materials, making the packaging eco-friendlier and more attractive. The new packaging is FSC certified, meaning that the paper used in the packaging is sourced sustainably.

Creating a smaller ecological footprint

The newest member of the Evolve2 range, the Jabra Evolve2 30 headset, features a new and innovative pack that combines sustainability with clever product packaging and marketing, without compromising the premium look and feel of the product. The headset is sold in a soft pouch with a paper label around it and the pouch is placed in a slim and functional paper bag. This slimmer bag, while being sturdy enough to protect the headset in the shipping process, takes up much less space, which means that more bags fit in a carton, shipping less air.

Besides creating a smaller ecological footprint through using fewer packaging materials, Jabra has also made steps in making its packaging lighter. The ultimate hero product is the Elite 85t e-commerce pack, which is 49% lighter than the Elite 75t packaging not only because it is smaller, but also because it has no outer pack and contains no bubble wrap. This way less waste is created, meaning that more products can be transported in a van or plane at the same time, reducing carbon emissions.

Exceeding previous milestones

In its 150-year history Jabra has introduced many firsts, and its sustainability journey is no exception. Maurits Hekking, Head of Sustainability at GN said: “At Jabra, we all share the passion for sustainability, and we’re committed to reducing the ecological footprint of our products by developing smarter products and packaging. Seeing our goals come to life with these new packages as a result of our great collaboration with other teams across the board is a great milestone in Jabra’s continuous journey to a more sustainable future.”

Mark Price, Technology Strategist at Pugh Computers Ltd said: “With our recent rollout of Jabra Evolve2 65 headsets across the entire company, we were delighted not only with the impeccable quality of their sound and comfort, but also by their packaging, which can so often be overlooked. It is clear that Jabra’s packaging is designed and produced with sustainability at its core, with its compactness and use of responsibly sourced recycled and recyclable materials greatly reducing plastic use.”

Setting new goals

Jabra uses its existing business processes to drive sustainability as an integral part of how the company is run. In the 2020 Sustainability | ESG Report (February 2021), Jabra’s parent GN Group outlined the key areas where the company is setting new goals and can make a true impact over the next few years: climate change, sustainable products and packaging, and health. By 2025, the group:

• aims to be climate neutral in its own company activities, while also reducing its indirect emissions
• will use at least 50% sustainable material in new products, having truly sustainable packaging across GN, launching take-back schemes for all relevant products and regions, and repairing or refurbishing more products per year

“We have made real progress with these initiatives for Jabra on our journey to a more sustainable future”, says Maurits Hekking, Head of Sustainability at GN. “We have high ambitions, and the evolution of our packaging is a huge step in the right direction. In order to keep progressing, we will continue to consider sustainability in everything we do, whether it’s our operations, our products or our packaging.”

Jabra’s Green Initiative

Jabra’s sustainability efforts do not stop when the product has reached its new owner. Jabra has product take-back schemes in several regions known as Jabra’s Green Initiative. Through this scheme, people who want to trade in their existing Elite product for a newer model receive a discount when they send their old product back to Jabra. Jabra then recycles the device under the European WEEE Directive.

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