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USB cables seem to be a small but relentless part of throw-away culture. Inevitably, cables stop working well and/or get lost, and a new one is needed.

Are there any USB cables produced with minimal environmental footprint in mind?

When I try to search the web for this sort of thing, all I get is gimmicky plastic garbage designed to harness renewable energy (i.e. "window mounted portable solar panel to charge your phone from the sun during your commute!" - the irony is killing me, among other things)

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    The shorter the better...
    – J. Chomel
    Commented May 29, 2018 at 7:27
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    Perhaps it makes sense to generalize this to "phone charging cables"? That would include Apple's lightning cables, and USB-C which is starting to become more common.
    – LShaver ♦
    Commented May 29, 2018 at 14:02

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Just buy a used USB cable. You can go to a computer recycler and they will have thousands.

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    The question specifically asks about production of USB cables -- though you make a valid point, this works better as a comment on the question.
    – LShaver ♦
    Commented May 31, 2018 at 1:07
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    @LShaver Then OP is asking the wrong question. There is an excess of cables as they outlast the device.
    – paparazzo
    Commented May 31, 2018 at 6:54
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    I think this answers the title question "What's the most environmentally friendly micro USB charging cable…if any?" with "a used one".
    – Earthliŋ
    Commented May 31, 2018 at 8:08
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You can always learn to solder, and make your own cables. By re-using electronic scrap you'll prevent the need for new cables. Then it can be as long as you need.

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