Nokia is reportedly planning on doing a rather large bit for the environment by launching close to 40 biodegradable handsets by the end of the year. They’ve already started things off with their 3110 Evolve and designs for their Eco Sensor. While these handsets may have either left the drawing board or still be on it, one wonders how a mobile phone that needs metal parts or components could be made biodegradable.

According to sources, D. Shivakumar, VP and managing director, Nokia India, said that the company would be using biodegradable phone covers,recyclable battery designs that use less harmful toxic materials and energy efficient accessories for all their forthcoming phones and that they'd already eliminated the use of PVC (polyvinyl chloride) in all their phones.
Apparently in the US, Nokia includes envelopes in the sales packs that have a return address with postage paid, specifically for consumers to return used handsets etc. to the company for recycling. The company is planning on having special Green Bins in India located at priority centers to make things even more convenient for consumers to drop off their old handsets. Some of their other ‘Green’ attempts are to train their employees working in the distribution and priority centers to advice consumers on recycling issues.

What I’d like to understand is who would do something like that in our country. The strategy here of course is to exchange your old handset for a new one. It’s rather unlikely that a consumer would simply drop off an unused handset into a box with no remuneration for its worth.

But you have to hand it to Nokia for at least trying. The other manufacturers are also getting into the groove of keeping things as green as they can and all I have to say is it’s about time.