Recycled Components Used in Cell Phone Accessories

Japan's DoCoMo says that it is the first Japanese mobile operator to incorporate recycled ABS resin in mobile phone accessories. The first resin-based accessory is an optional desk-top charging stand for the new mova D505i that was launched last week. The charger employs ABS resin recovered from disposed mobile phones.

ABS resin is an engineering plastic compound composed of acrylonitrile, butadiene and styrene. It is lightweight, highly shock resistant and easy to recycle, making it an ideal material for production of mobile phones and accessories. NTT DoCoMo has been involved in a variety of recycling initiatives since 1993, including the collection of used mobile phones and batteries. The company has achieved 100% recycling of every handset recovered.

To date, recovered materials have been applied to non-mobile phone products such as auto parts and electronic components. Use of recovered ABS resin in D505i charging units marks the first time for the material to be incorporated in a mobile phone-related product, contributing to highly efficient, low-cost recycling and realizing a continual recycling process.

In addition to recycling efforts, NTT DoCoMo plays a major role in resource conservation by promoting green procurement. Careful selection of phone parts at the initial manufacturing stage, for example, in which ABS resin can later easily be extracted and refined, has also helped reduce recycling costs.

In cooperation with mobile phone manufacturers, the company will continue to support eco-friendly activities."

Posted to the site on 26th May 2003