Motorola Creates Phone from Recycled Bottles

Talk about going green: Motorola created a cell phone made of recycled water bottles.

Yesterday Motorola revealed the MOTO W233 Renew, the world's first mobile phone made using plastics comprised of recycled water bottles. The device is actually the world's first carbon neutral phone as well, and is 100 percent recyclable. The company claims that it offsets the carbon dioxide required to manufacture, distribute, and operate the phone through "investments in renewable energy sources and reforestation." Whatever the means, Motorola apparently also scored an alliance with Carbonfund.org, and even earned a CarbonFree Product Certification through the organization.

“Today, natural resources, energy and time are more precious than ever before,” said Jeremy Dale, corporate vice president, global marketing, Motorola Mobile Devices. “From the product’s design, to the packaging to our partnership with Carbonfund.org, we wanted to ensure that this device makes the right impact with consumers and the environment.”

According to the company, Motorola reduced the overall package size by 22 percent, using 100 percent post-consumer recycled paper to construct the box and all of its inside materials. And at no additional cost, consumers can use the provided postage-paid recycling envelope to return their previous mobile phones for recycling. The Renew mobile phone also boasts up to nine hours of talk time, CrystalTalk technology, and messaging capabilities. Although Motorola designed the Renew for eco-conscious consumers, the company also kept the general consumer in mind, offering affordability and a full set of features.

Motorola did not offer any pricing details, however the Renew mobile phone will be available at T-Mobile USA in Q1 2009. Motorola also plans to showcase the device - along with the MOTOSURF A3100 -at the 2009 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas this week.