Biodegradable phone is developed

Areometer · 12-01-2004, 10:53 PM

A biodegradable mobile phone containing a seed which grows when the handset is buried in compost has been developed.
Materials experts at Warwick University have created a casing which starts to disintegrate within weeks of being composted and even flowers later.

They designed a small transparent window in the phone cover to hold the seed and used horticulturalists to identify the best-performing flowers.

Prototypes of the mobile phones have been fitted with dwarf sunflowers.

Dr Kerry Kirwan, who led the team, said mobile telephones were quickly discarded by consumers because of rapid changes in technology and that manufacturers were under pressure to find ways of recycling them.

He said: "There are over 100 million mobile phones thrown away across Europe and we have looked at the plastic covers and facias and looked at ways we can minimise the environmental impact.

"One of the ways was to get the consumer to plant the phone case into the ground or plant pot and grow themselves a flower.

"The seed is released and germinates in the pot so you don't have to collect, segregate and dispose of the phones which has huge amounts of cost and energy associated with it."

The product was developed in conjunction with hi-tech materials company PVAXX Research & Development Ltd of Cheltenham and communications technology firm Motorola.

> Original Link

daniel · 12-02-2004, 08:19 AM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Areometer\";p=\"54525)</div>

Quote:

... One of the ways was to get the consumer to plant the phone case into the ground or plant pot and grow themselves a flower...[/b]

Only the case is boidegradable. The phone's innards still have to go to the landfill.

Still, biodegradable plastic is better than the kind that lasts forever. Unless you live in a humid climate and your phone starts to decompose while you're still using it.

CitizenjaQ · 02-25-2005, 04:59 PM

I read about this a few days ago and thought it was awesome. The kids these days are putting new faceplates on their phones every week; if they planted their old ones instead of throwing them away, that's a major improvement. Plus, this plastic must be usable in other items.

Heck, combine it with circuit boards made from chicken feathers and you're golden!

techogurl · 03-04-2005, 03:46 PM

Technically I saw a paper phone from japan about 4 years ago from an exhange student. So they are around to some extent.

CitizenjaQ · 03-09-2005, 10:34 AM

^ I heard about those a while back...weren't they supposed to sell them at gas stations and such in the US? As disposable, pay-as-you-go phones?

12-01-2004, 10:53 PM	#1
Areometer Silver Business Sponsor Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Tyngsboro, MA Posts: 569 My Car: 2005 Prius Model: Package: #9 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post Friends: 0	Biodegradable phone is developed A biodegradable mobile phone containing a seed which grows when the handset is buried in compost has been developed. Materials experts at Warwick University have created a casing which starts to disintegrate within weeks of being composted and even flowers later. They designed a small transparent window in the phone cover to hold the seed and used horticulturalists to identify the best-performing flowers. Prototypes of the mobile phones have been fitted with dwarf sunflowers. Dr Kerry Kirwan, who led the team, said mobile telephones were quickly discarded by consumers because of rapid changes in technology and that manufacturers were under pressure to find ways of recycling them. He said: "There are over 100 million mobile phones thrown away across Europe and we have looked at the plastic covers and facias and looked at ways we can minimise the environmental impact. "One of the ways was to get the consumer to plant the phone case into the ground or plant pot and grow themselves a flower. "The seed is released and germinates in the pot so you don't have to collect, segregate and dispose of the phones which has huge amounts of cost and energy associated with it." The product was developed in conjunction with hi-tech materials company PVAXX Research & Development Ltd of Cheltenham and communications technology firm Motorola. > Original Link __________________ *SigmaAuto.com - PRIUS* Accessories & JDM Components !! Earthority.com - Earth-friendly gear & Earth-conscious news

02-25-2005, 04:59 PM	#3
CitizenjaQ Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Nashua, NH Posts: 61 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	Re: Biodegradable phone is developed I read about this a few days ago and thought it was awesome. The kids these days are putting new faceplates on their phones every week; if they planted their old ones instead of throwing them away, that's a major improvement. Plus, this plastic must be usable in other items. Heck, combine it with circuit boards made from chicken feathers and you're golden!

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03-04-2005, 03:46 PM	#4
techogurl Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Fayetteville, AR Posts: 227 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	Technically I saw a paper phone from japan about 4 years ago from an exhange student. So they are around to some extent.

03-09-2005, 10:34 AM	#5
CitizenjaQ Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Nashua, NH Posts: 61 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	^ I heard about those a while back...weren't they supposed to sell them at gas stations and such in the US? As disposable, pay-as-you-go phones?