Nokia to launch eco-friendly mobile phones

Going green has rubbed in on the mobile manufacturing sector with Nokia  planning to launch around 40 new phones made up of biodegradable components that can be easily recycled.
 
Current mobile phones contain small amounts of potentially harmful substances such as cadmium, lithium, among others, in their batteries which, if not managed properly, are environmental hazards. When launched, such an innovation will be the first of its kind in an industry where change is the name of the game.

In markets like the US, Nokia encloses a pre-addressed, postage-paid envelope in sales packs, providing customers an easy method for returning used products for recycling, at no cost to them.

According to D Shivakumar, vice-president and managing director, Nokia India, the company would be using biodegradable phone covers,  such as polylactic acid (PLA) plastics with plant or other biomass-based modifiers that reduces the use of non-renewable materials. Also the energy required to produce PLA  from raw material to plastic pellet  is minimal.

The company is also aiming to reduce amount of energy consumed by mobile chargers.

Nokia will also be focusing on training and awareness programmes designed to ensure that those working in care centres operated on behalf of Nokia take-back programme can advise consumers on recycling issues.