There are so many cell phones on the marketing today – iPhone, Blackberry, Sidekick, Smartphones and the list goes on and on. Each has their own set of special features and functionality, but one thing they all have in common is they aren’t sustainable. That doesn’t seem like a revolutionary statement -cell phone and sustainable aren’t mutually exclusive. Until now, that is. Nokia has just unveiled a new phone in the concept stages called ReMade. It is the first and only cell phone that would be made from 100% recycled materials.
The metal portions of the phone is made from aluminum cans, while the plastics pieces are made from drink bottle and the rubber keys are constructed from old tires. It’s not just the external make up that’s different. Nokia says that the inner workings of the phone will also use environmentally friendly technologies, including energy saving features. aluminum cans, while the plastics pieces are made from drink bottle and the rubber keys are constructed from old tires. It’s not just the external make up that’s different. Nokia says that the inner workings of the phone will also use environmentally friendly technologies, including energy saving features.
The ReMade isn’t the only environmentally friendly concept in the works. The are also working on a wearable mobile phone call the Eco-Sensor that analyzes the wearers health and surrrounding environment. That concept will also have recycled parts as well. No word on whether it will be as environmentally friendly as ReMade claims to be.
Don’t want to wait for these concepts come to the mass market? Nokia now has the 3110 Evolve – a phone that has 50% renewable materials, chargers that use 94% less energy and packaging that’s 60% recycled materials. This phone is due sometime in the first half of the year.
Every year more and more cell phones are thrown into dumps, but there are also a lot of programs that assist people in their disposal by reusing the phones. If you are looking to get rid of an old cell phone, check with your service provider to see if you can give that old phone a new home. Some companies give the phones to battered woman shelters or homeless shelters to give access to 911 or other emergency contact numbers.
