Google Makes a Mouse (from Recycled Plastic)

From Google comes a wireless optical mouse (with USB WiFi dongle) made of recycled plastic, a worthy entry into the burgeoning market of greener electronics. Even the packaging is made from recycled materials! Of course, it still uses AAA batteries (please use rechargeable ones when possible), and like most electronic devices today, the internal components are probably still toxic. However, it is clear that Google is taking an environmentally pro-active approach to product development, not to mention their initiative in leading the transition to alternative energy and making California (and the nation) a green powerhouse. One question is whether the company will accept these mice back at end of life for further recycling/reuse, but my guess is that they will. As part of their Green Initiative, the company intends to develop more products like the mouse, office supplies, clothing, etc, from more sustainable (e.g. organic or recycled) sources, for sale to customers and fans.

Available in (Google)Red and (Google)Blue directly from the company.

Can a Cell Phone Really Be Green?

When we read about low wage workers in unsafe conditions sifting through piles of discarded computers and cell phones in some far off country, many of us find ourselves asking if there is a way to make electronic devices sustainable, and how we can reverse the process of making the Third World a dumping ground for our e-waste. Is it even possible to make devices truly “green”, considering the many toxic ingredients involved in their manufacturing (lead, mercury, cadmium, arsenic, etc), which when not properly disposed of, contaminate air, soil and groundwater? Other things to consider are recyclability, energy efficiency, and whether a phone can even be upgraded in order to extend its lifespan.

A number of cell phone manufacturers are beginning to make strides in addressing these issues, including Nokia, Motorola and Samsung. Nokia has been getting a lot of press lately, for their Remade and Eco Sensor phone concepts, featuring recycled aluminum, plastic, rubber, and glass, and so-called “printed electronics”, as well as the potential incorporation of an interface to monitor personal health and environmental conditions. Motorola has been working on a display screen for a phone, which would double as a solar charger, and Samsung is said to be developing a way by which to power cell phones through a water-hydrogen system. Even a Chinese manufacturer not yet well known in the West, Hi-Tech Wealth, has had a solar chargeable phone on the market since last year, with many more planned to launch in the near future. Clearly, the more efficient phones (and chargers) that are now on the market, and these R&D efforts themselves, represent potential progress in terms of positive impact within a market that is known for style-driven products with short lives, but it may take some time before any of these exciting concepts emerge from the realm of ideas, to become reality.

In the meantime, as consumers, we must make efforts to use our cell phones as long as possible, and recycle them only when they cease to work effectively, rather than replace them every one to one and a half years, which is the average. Nonetheless, it is important to keep in mind that ultimately, the responsibility of proper disposal of electronic waste should rest on manufacturers, as is becoming the norm in Europe (European Directive on Waste from Electrical and Electronic Equipment), with the consumer taking up the slack before such options exist worldwide. This sort of mindset will not be established however, before legislation is in place, that will direct companies to redesign their products in such a way that they can effectively be taken back at end of life. Certainly no small task.

For those inclined to recycle their old cell phones, a number of options exist. Apart from the large retail chains at which you can drop off old phones and batteries (Best Buy, Staples, Radio Shack, etc), many cell phone manufacturers (Nokia and Motorola included) are starting to have their own direct recycle-to programs. One may also donate old phones to honorable organizations like ReCellular.com and the Support Network for Battered Women, and some organizations like greenphone.com and RIPMobile (and many others), even buy old cell phones, and donate them to various charities. Earth 911 also offers a guide to lessen your electronics’ environmental impact, including many further options to breathe potential new life into your old cell phone.

Some informative selections from You Tube:

GOOD Magazine: E-Waste

The Secret Life of Cell Phones by INFORM, Inc

How Cell Phone Recycling Works

Who Needs Batteries? (The Simple Genius of Solar Flashlights)

It’s hard to imagine a more complete and practical “green gadget” than a solar-powered LED flashlight made from recycled plastic. Well, at least manufacturers have the solar and LED part down, with the the recycled plastic part hopefully not too far behind, as some company out there incorporates this added benefit to their product line (think Recycline’s toothbrushes and razor handles).

As columnist Thomas Friedman has suggested, for so long, the United States had been considered the leader in technological ingenuity and development, but when it comes to clean technology and its related offspring - including something as straightforward and logical as a solar-powered flashlight - the nation lags behind others. For example, even China, which has recently matched or surpassed the U.S. in terms of its negative environmental impact, is manufacturing solar-powered flashlights and other related energy saving products, and may ironically be poised to surpass the U.S. in the rapid development of green consumer goods. However, once local, State, and Federal governments finally comprehend the enormous benefit that would come from creating a massive green manufacturing sector, including wind, solar, hydrogen (and beyond), these products may be manufactured here, and Friedman will have his wish of the U.S. living up to its potential. With problems ranging from water and food scarcity, to inadequate or non existent energy generation infrastructure, a new wave of designers and social activists are being inspired to develop a range of environmentally progressive products and services to serve various populations, and the solar-powered flashlight represents just the beginning.

BoGo Light

Earthtorch

Eclipse Solar Powered Flashlights

Cohda Designs: URE plastic sculptures

Designers today are thinking up new ways to make everyday products out of this excess of recycled materials.   This type of new market gives designers an opportunity to develop new materials, experiment, design, and create. With advances in tools and processes, and an excess of waste we have a clear and direct opportunity.

Cohda Designs a UK based design group has developed a new process for recycled plastic called U.R.E.- Un-cooled Recycled Extrude.  Due to the limitations of pre-manufactured recycled sheets these men invented their own process for melting down raw recyclable trash (plastic packaging) to create a new material.  First they feed the machine materials that they collect form viewers or the community, it spits out small pellets, then they feed that to the melter which spits out a taffy-like extruded rod.  They then sculpt it around a mold to create a functional piece of furniture.  Since discovering that the creation of these chairs makes a great performance, Cohda Designs has taken their packaging eating machine to trade shows around the world.  They call their events the Public Recycling Factory.

The Source Toothbrush by Radius

This new “reversible” (a niche term for right or left hand compatible) design from Radius comes with a replaceable head that holds the brush. It’s handle is comprised of blended wood fiber and a PLA made with Nebraska maize. Available at your nearest Whole Foods store and many other locations.

Mirel Bioplastic by Metabolix

The public knows the basic about bioplastic. What is actually produced with such plastics ? As designers it’s good to know who to contact, when we actually need to develop a project with such product, i would like to present Mirel, produced by Metabolix a 15 years old company specialised in bio plastic research.

What is Mirel ?

A family of plastic based on corn sugar. Its biobased sustainable and biodegradable.

When we see (- Plastic debris piling up in Pacific - ) what happen to our tons of plastic it’s urgent to go for biodegradable.

What can be done with Mirel family ?

Mirel can be used in a wide variety of applications, from packaging, to cosmetic cases, from plastic bags to toothbrushes.

it’s support injection molding, extrusion coating and could be provided as sheet.

Mirel is well documented in ecolect database, have a look, register and share your knowledges with the community.

For more information on Mirel properties, check Metabolix presentation on their website.
Mirel bioplastic slideshow

New Preserve Product Line!

Recycline, the makers of the recycled plastic product line “Preserve”, announce an extension to their toothbrushes and razors, coming soon to Whole Foods stores:  

Designed by people who love to cook - and who know that delicious food depends on a healthy planet - Preserve Kitchen offers durable, fun, dishwasher-safe products for your kitchen. Preserve Kitchen products help preserve the earth, one home at a time. Preserve Kitchen products made from 100% recycled #5 plastic (just like our toothbrushes, razors + tableware) and from 100% post-consumerrecycled paper.        

One of their new cutting boards is made from Paperstone, an innovative recycled paper material listed on Ecolect. Connecticut based firm Evo Design is behind the Industrial Design.