gomi Recycled Power Bank

Last updated: 29 September 2026

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What the gomi recycled power bank is

gomi is a design studio on Gloucester Street, in Brighton's North Laine. It started out making Bluetooth speakers, and the power bank uses the same two materials: plastic waste that cannot go in the recycling, and batteries rescued from scrapped e-bikes.

The case starts as flexible plastic, the kind that goes in the general waste bin rather than the recycling. gomi melts it down and marbles it by hand, so every case comes out with its own pattern. The one you receive will be the same colourway as the photograph, but not the same swirl.

The power comes from 18650 lithium-ion cells taken out of retired e-bike battery packs. According to gomi's materials page, the packs are often scrapped because repairing them costs more than buying new, even though most of the cells inside are healthy. The studio tests each cell on its own diagnostic rack and reuses the good ones. Damaged cells go off for recycling.

gomi also says the power bank produces over 50% fewer CO2 emissions than comparable chargers. That is the maker's own figure.

Specifications

In the hand, it is roughly the size of a pack of playing cards, a little thicker. It weighs about the same as a 250g block of butter.

The phone figures come from gomi's own charging chart, so a bigger phone battery gets fewer full charges.

The repair promise

Every lithium-ion battery holds less charge as it ages. gomi builds this recycled power bank so the cells can be swapped out when that happens, rather than the whole thing being replaced.

For the first two years, any repair under warranty is free. After that, gomi's repair policy caps a standard UK repair at £20. That price includes replacing worn-out cells.

The warranty also passes to a second owner, as long as they can show the original proof of purchase. So if you are giving it as a present, put the gift receipt in with it.

Classic or translucent

There are two versions, and they differ in price, looks and where they are put together.

The classic colourways cost £79 and are handmade in Brighton. Buy Me Once stocks five of them: Avalanche, Panther, Pearl, Espresso and Ultraviolet. gomi's own shop lists more, including Ocean, Rose Plant and Strawberries and Cream.

The translucent colourways cost £59. Each has a single translucent colour on the front and a white back. gomi says the capacity and the ports are the same, but these are assembled overseas. Buy Me Once has Nettle and Alpine, and gomi sells four more.

If the Brighton-made part matters to you, the extra £20 buys it. If you want the same battery and the same repair promise for less, the translucent one does the job.

See every colourway at Buy Me Once

Where to buy it

Buy Me Once sells all seven colourways listed above, with free UK delivery on orders over £75 and a 30-day return window. The £79 classic versions clear that delivery line on their own, while the £59 translucent ones do not.

gomi also sells direct from its own shop, at the same prices, with free delivery and 30-day returns. Buy there if you want a colourway Buy Me Once does not carry.

Taking it on a plane

At 37Wh, the gomi recycled power bank sits well under the 100Wh limit for flying without airline approval. The Civil Aviation Authority's packing guidance says power banks go in your hand luggage, never the hold. It also limits you to two per person and says they must never be recharged on board. Some airlines add their own rules, so check yours before you fly.

The catches

The 18W ceiling. Both ports top out at 18W. That is fine for a phone or earbuds, but it will not keep most laptops going. For comparison, the Belkin UltraCharge Pro 10K is the same capacity and pushes 60W over USB-C.

Cable only. There is no wireless charging pad and no magnets, so it will not snap onto the back of an iPhone.

The pattern lottery. Because each case is marbled by hand, you pick the colourway, not the exact pattern.

Who it suits

It suits anyone who carries a power bank every day and wants one they can have repaired rather than replaced. It also works as a gift for someone who cares where their things come from, because the case and the cells were both headed for landfill.

For more ideas along the same lines, our carbon-conscious gift guide collects the rest. And if you like the look, gomi's speaker collaboration with Paul Smith uses the same marbling on a bigger scale: see the gomi x Paul Smith speaker.

gomi recycled power bank: FAQs

How much is the gomi power bank?

£79 for the classic marbled colourways and £59 for the translucent ones, at both Buy Me Once and gomi's own shop. Prices checked on 29 September 2026.

How many times will it charge my phone?

gomi's own chart gives 2.3 full charges for an iPhone 16 and 1.6 for a Samsung Galaxy S23. It also manages 1.2 charges of an iPad mini 5.

Is it really made from recycled plastic?

Yes. The case is 100% flexible plastic waste, such as bags, bubble wrap and food packaging, which UK councils class as non-recyclable. gomi melts it and marbles it by hand.

Where is it made?

The classic colourways are handmade at gomi's studio in Brighton. The cheaper translucent versions are assembled overseas.

What happens when the battery wears out?

Within the two-year warranty, gomi repairs or replaces it for free. After that, a standard repair in the UK costs no more than £20, and that includes a battery refresh.

Can I take it on a plane?

Yes, in your hand luggage. It is rated at 37Wh, under the 100Wh limit, but you can carry only two power banks and cannot recharge them on board.

Does it charge wirelessly?

No. It charges by cable, through one USB-C port and one USB-A port, and it can run both at once.

Prices, colourways and stock change often, so check the retailer before you buy. gomi's repair terms are set out on its own site and can change.

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