Designing for Change: How Tallpine Cases Turns Everyday Items into a Statement of Sustainability

“It started with a drawer of old phones.” Check them out on verdure here!

At Verdure, we’re all about spotlighting small, independent brands with big missions—the kinds of businesses you wouldn’t come across in your typical scroll. One of those is Tallpine Cases, a sustainable tech accessory company using natural materials to rethink how we protect our devices and our planet.

We interviewed Liesbeth Swart, founder and CEO of Tallpine Cases, to hear the story behind the brand, the challenges she faced, and what keeps her inspired to keep building. As students, this motivated us to keep pushing for what we want to see in the world. We hope her words inspire you as well.

When we thought of the interview questions, we wanted to start with both, hey how did you come up with this idea? But also, there’s so many challenges creating a startup, as people creating one, what advice do you have?

What sparked the idea for Tallpine Cases?

"It really came together from a mix of professional experience and a personal moment of realization. I was working in the marketing department of a Finnish company that specializes in sustainable thermowood—wood that's treated without chemicals, just heat and steam that becomes more durable and sturdy than untreated wood. It was there that I learned a lot about renewable materials and the environmental problems caused by plastic. I had access to research showing how plastics leach toxins, contribute to landfill overflow, and persist in the environment for hundreds of years.

But the idea for Tallpine Cases clicked during a more personal task. I was sorting through a drawer full of old mobile phones—getting them ready for recycling so that the parts could be refurbished. That’s when I realized: we talk a lot about recycling electronics, but no one really talks about all the phone cases we throw away. Most of them are made from plastic, and most people go through several over the course of their life. Multiply that by billions of people, and you’re looking at a huge amount of waste just from phone accessories alone. That really stuck with me. I had been using a wooden phone case myself—made from sustainable wood—and it made me think: why isn't that the standard? Why isn’t there a broader, more accessible alternative that focuses on natural, biodegradable materials?

That’s where the idea for Tallpine Cases was born: a line of eco-friendly phone cases made from plant-based materials and real wood, designed for people who care about reducing waste but still want quality and style."

What was the journey like from idea to launch?

"Starting Tallpine Cases wasn’t instant—it was a slow and thoughtful process. I had experience in marketing and e-commerce from working with established companies, but starting something from scratch was a whole different challenge. Things like branding, content, and customer experience came naturally—but product development, sourcing sustainable materials, and handling logistics were new territory. The small team spent a lot of time researching and testing to make sure the materials and partners aligned with the values behind the brand. It took longer than expected. The learning curve was steep, but the mission made it worth it."

Were there any moments you wanted to quit, and what helped you push through?

"Yes - more than once.

Even with a background in marketing, building a brand from the ground up is different. It takes time to refine the message so it really connects, especially in a space as crowded as phone accessories. There were points where I questioned whether the effort was worth it—when traction was slow or it felt like the message wasn’t reaching the right audience.

What helped me push through was staying grounded in the mission. Tallpine Cases was started to offer a real alternative to plastic, and every time someone resonated with that—whether it was a customer, a message on social media, or even a conversation with a friend—it reminded me that the idea matters. That kept me going, even when the process wasn’t easy."

What keeps you going now?

"What keeps me going is knowing that Tallpine Cases is part of a bigger movement toward sustainability. Every time I hear from customers who appreciate the quality and the story behind the product, it reminds me that this isn’t just about phone cases—it’s about making everyday choices that add up to real change.

I’m also motivated by the ongoing challenge. There’s always room to improve—whether it’s refining materials, expanding the product line, or finding new ways to connect with people who care about the environment. That continuous growth and impact make the effort worthwhile.

At the end of the day, it’s about contributing to a healthier planet and inspiring others to think differently about the things they use every day."

What’s one thing people might not know about your process or materials?

"One thing many people don’t realize is just how involved our material selection process is. For example, our wood is FSC-certified, which means it’s sourced from forests that are managed responsibly to protect the environment and local communities. That’s important to us because we want to ensure the materials are sustainable from the ground up.

On the plant materials side, we use compostable, plant-based materials made from sources like corn starch. These break down in the right composting conditions much faster than traditional plastics, which can linger for centuries in landfills. 

We also pay close attention to our packaging and shipping. It’s easy to overlook, but reducing waste and carbon emissions in these areas is a key part of our commitment to sustainability."

What do you hope people feel when they use your products?

"We hope people feel a real connection to nature and a sense of responsibility when they use our cases to provide protection to their devices. Knowing that their phone case isn’t just another piece of plastic waste, but something made with care from sustainable materials, can make a difference. We want users to feel proud of making a small but meaningful choice for the planet.

At the same time, we want them to enjoy the quality and natural beauty of the materials—whether it’s the warmth and texture of real wood or the smooth, eco-friendly feel of our bioplastic cases. It’s about combining purpose with everyday use, so sustainability becomes a natural part of their lifestyle."

Why we’re proud to feature Tallpine on Verdure

At Verdure, we believe the small things we use every day matter. Brands like Tallpine Cases are proof that sustainability can be embedded in even the simplest items, with care, integrity, and real impact. Liesbeth’s story reminds us that real change doesn’t always start loud. Sometimes, it starts with a drawer of old phones and a single question: what if we did this differently?

We’re proud to feature Tallpine Cases on Verdure and excited to share their mission with a wider audience who believes in conscious, intentional choices. Check them out here!