Sony Ericsson is following the lead of its competitors by rolling out two new handsets that will make the world a little greener. The C901 and Naite are part of its GreenHeart program.
The GreenHeart program was launched by Sony last year to reduce hazardous waste produced during product development and manufacturing. Its focus is to develop phones that use electronic manuals, reduce the carbon footprint by 15 percent, and use a minimum of 50 percent recycled packaging.
“The ultimate goal is to reduce our carbon output as a company by 20 percent by 2015 and to have every phone have the same carbon savings (as the Naite and C901),” said Jonathan Mulder, Sony Ericsson’s head of product marketing in North America.
“It marks a starting point for other manufacturers to put together a phone that is eco-conscious and helps them save money in the long run,” said IDC analyst Ramon Llamas.
The C901 handset will save 90 percent in paper and reduces the environmental impact through more compact packaging. The phone’s casing is made from a minimum of 50 percent recycled plastic and has a display light sensor, which uses less energy. A newer green feature is the phone’s paint, which lowers exposure to volatile organic compounds. The phone’s headset is made with 100 percent recycled plastic.
The Naite includes the same green features, but also comes with a feature that lets users walk the talk, according to Sony Ericsson. The phone’s Ecomate application and Carbon Calculator help users make better environmental choices and calculate how much carbon is saved by walking and not using a car.
By going green, Sony Ericsson may have had to cut corners. “Side-by-side comparison, they are giving a couple of things up, but not to say that cannot be included at a…