Eco-conscious
mobile users, your green phone has arrived. Sprint today unveiled the Samsung Reclaim (better
than Recycle, right?), made with 80% recycled materials and coming in packing made from 70% recycled stuff. Its outer casing is 40% bio-plastics and a charger that consumes 12 times less power than
the Energy Star standard requires. And yes, it's green. (It also comes in Ocean Blue.)
That makes it all the better for the eco-chic to show off their greenie bona fides every time they hold
their cell phone to their ear. Discovery Channel also manages a marketing tie-in to the phone through green button that connects users to several branded applications containing green-related tips and
information.
Oh, yeah, the $50 Reclaim, also includes regular features like a Qwerty keyboard, 2-megapixel camera, GPS and Bluetooth 2.0. But wouldn't have been more eco-friendly just not to
make the phone in the first place? In any case, the Reclaim is part of wider environmental initiatives by Sprint overall including reducing paper consumption by 30% and cutting energy consumption in
operations and in its retail stores.
Starting in September, Sprint outlets will also include sections showcasing eco-friendly products. Longer-term, the carrier is committed to reduce its
greenhouse gas emissions by 15% and increase its use of renewable energy 10% by 2017. Given the intense competition among the major carriers and manufacturers, don't be surprised to see more
enviro-phones flowering on the mobile landscape. Is the GreenBerry next?