Tech - Motorola unveils mobile phone made from recycled water bottles

LAS VEGAS (AFP) - Motorola, seeking to capitalize on the trend towards more environmentally friendly products, has unveiled the first mobile phone made from recycled water bottles.

The MOTO W233 Renew was previewed at the annual Consumer Electronics Show (CES) opening in Las Vegas on Thursday and featuring more than 2,700 exhibitors of high-tech gadgetry from around the world.

"Not only is the plastic housing of Renew made from plastics comprised of recycled water bottles and 100 percent recyclable, but it is also the world's first carbon neutral phone," Motorola said.

Motorola enjoyed considerable success in 2005 with its Razr phone but has been losing ground since then to other major cell phone makers such as Nokia, Samsung, Sony Ericsson, Apple and Blackberry maker Research in Motion.

Through an alliance with Carbonfund.org, Motorola said it "offsets the carbon dioxide required to manufacture, distribute and operate the phone through investments in renewable energy sources and reforestation."

"Today, natural resources, energy and time are more precious than ever before," said Jeremy Dale, corporate vice president for Motorola Mobile Devices.

"We wanted to ensure that this device makes the right impact with consumers and the environment," he said.

Motorola said the "greening" of the new phone applies also to the packaging. "The box and all of the materials inside are printed on 100 percent post-consumer recycled paper," the company said.

"In addition, a postage-paid recycling envelope in box makes it easy to return your previous mobile phone for recycling at no cost," Motorola added.

The Schaumburg, Illinois-based Motorola said the Renew will be available through T-Mobile USA in the first quarter of the year.