Sprint, Samsung Go Green with ‘Corn-Based’ Phone

August 10, 2009 - 4:14 am | 79 views

Technology.am (Aug. 10, 2009) — Sprint Nextel Corp and Samsung Electronics Co plans to sell a $49.99 “eco-conscious” phone with a casing of biodegradable plastic made from 80 percent recyclable materials, with 40 percent made from corn.

samsung reclaim Its bio-plastic material, made from corn, makes up 40 percent of the Reclaim’s outer casing. The outer packaging is made from 70 percent recycled materials and the images, text on the box and phone warranty information are printed with soy-based ink.

The phone’s charger lights up when the phone is fully charged, to remind the owner to unplug it to save electricity.

And in another conservation effort, Sprint also swapped the typically thick paper user manual with a virtual manual that customers can access online.

The Samsung Reclaim features a slide-out QWERTY keyboard, a 2-megapixel camera, a Web browser; and Sprint Navigation with search functionality.

The device will also feature “One Click,” Sprint’s customizable user interface that provides quick access to application.

When customers purchase Samsung Reclaim from Sprint, $2 of the proceeds will benefit The Nature Conservancy’s Adopt an Acre program, which supports land conservation across the United States and protects some of the world’s most beautiful and important natural habitats.

The phone is available for Green or Ocean Blue colors. It will be available on August 16 for just $49.99 with a two-year service agreement after a $30 instant rebate and a $50 mail-in rebate (taxes and service charges excluded).

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