According to the UK’s The Register, Apple’s new 3G iPhone will ship in green packaging. (And by green packaging, they mean environmentally conscious and made partially of recyclable materials…Not green, as in “kelly green” or for that matter “forest green”….I think it is safe to say Apple will stick with its signature black box.)
In the past Apple has been criticised by Greenpeace for using Bromindate Fire Retardents (BFRs) and Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) in its products. Last year, Apple CEO Steve Jobs vowed to create a greener Apple and with the shipment of the new iPhone less than two weeks away, CEO Hans Arentsen claims Apple has placed a large order for “millions of PaperFoam packaging” from Dutch company PaperFoam, which also makes manufactures packaging for Motorola.
PaperFoam (www.paperfoam.com), established in 1998 in the rural Dutch town of Barneveld, came up with the idea to make biodegradable products using potato starch as the main ingredient. Once the injection molding technology was refined, the first commercial products were launched. By 2004, more than 150 million PaperFoam trays were being produced. The first mainstream products were CD and DVD trays. Later PaperFoam produced trays for the first generation iPod nano and iPod video made of 100% natural resources, either potato starch or Tapioca starch.
With millions of iPod set to ship in the upcoming weeks it is nice to see Apple do their part to reduce waste caused by packaging the device in a responsible way. While Arentsen won’t reveal too many details, he does say the iPhone will be delivered in a cardboard box with a starch tray, which is fully recyclable. The company claims a carbon footprint reduction of 90% compared to the outdated plastic tray.
Keep in mind…While the tray is indeed made out of potatoes…That does not mean it is edible, or that is will go down easier with a little butter and salt. And the only way we can take advantage of Apple’s effort in reducing waste is by making sure our packaging ends up where it belongs: in the recycling. (Or for many Apple fans, in the original box at the back of the closet with the rest of your collection.)
