The current state of
charging is a mess
The current state of charging is a mess
Americans buy 4 chargers a year on average. The constant creation of proprietary charging cables has led consumers to collect excessive adapters and cords that become obsolete in just a few years, filling junk drawers, closets, and precious space in our homes.
Improperly discarded adapters and cables end up in landfills, contributing to 66 million tons of e-waste each year. Often landfills burn e-waste, releasing toxic chemicals into the air, harming our health and environment.
At Counterpart, we envision a better way to coexist with our tech
The charge we want to see in the world
Dangling cords and ubiquitous design have just never been our thing. We'd rather live in harmony than at odds with our necessary parts.
The future is USB-C
ICYMI, in 2023 the EU mandated that USB-C be the universal standard charging cable. Beyond this being convenient for consumers, this will have positive impact on a global scale. One unified charger means that we can use one charger for all devices, dramatically decreasing the consumption and waste of electronics. Additionally, fewer unique cables means less demand for raw materials that need to be mined and manufactured. One more bonus: less confusion.
5 Reasons to Love USB-C
REVERSIBILITY
The symmetrical connector can be plugged in any way.
SPEED
USB-C can deliver power at a higher level, reducing energy usage
RECYCLABILITY
USB-C cables contain fewer materials, making them easier to repurpose
VERSATILITY
Many of our devices are already compatible with USB-C
DURABILITY
USB-C cables have longer lifespans, reducing the need for replacements
When it’s time to say goodbye, say goodbye responsibly.
Want to swap out your old, dusty parts to make room for Counterparts? Find an e-waste recycling center near you with our interactive map below.
GaN is short for Gallium Nitride, which is a material used in chargers in order to process less heat and, in doing so, can allow for chargers to be smaller, lighter, and more efficient.
USB-C is on track to become the standard charging cable, and we didn’t want to contribute to more e-waste by creating products with other cables that would soon be obsolete. Additionally, USB-C specs are publicly available to be implemented by companies such as yours truly, while the implementation of other proprietary cables would require us to pay hefty licsensing fees,
We get it, a lot of you have have iPhone generations 14 and earlier that use Lightning ports, as well as other devices with non USB-C ports. No problem! You can get a USB-C to Lightning adapter here and pretty much any other type of adapter you’d want as well. We’re personally fans of the USB-C to headphone jack adapter.
Please see our interactive map above for your nearest recycling center. If you subscribe to Ridwell, they will happily dispose of electronics for you. If your charger still works and you want to get rid of it, please consider donating it to a local school or shelter. And please, never throw it in the trash 🙏.
In addition to this site, you can shop Counterpart on Basic.space, Thingtesting, and IRL at Popup Grocer.