Green drive reaching cell phone market

The global drive for "green information technology" has reached the cell phone market, with major phone manufacturers moving to integrate eco-thinking into handset designs.

Samsung Electronics Co., the world`s No. 2 phone manufacturer, is leading the pack, having already introduced two eco-friendly phones.

The Korean electronics maker said yesterday that its handset SCH-W510, launched last month, was officially recognized by the Ministry of Environment as an eco-friendly product. It is the first phone in the country to win the government-endorsed eco mark.

The government gives the eco-friendly certification to a product after performing a set of lab tests to verify whether it is produced or consumed in a way that reduces contamination or saves energy.

Dubbed the "Corn Phone," the W510 uses bio-plastic material made from cornstarch and features an environmentally-friendly metal-finishing process, without the use of harmful metals like lead or mercury.

It went on sale in Korea last month at a price of about 500,000 won ($481).

Samsung also introduced the SGH-F268, which excludes brominated flame retardants and polyvinyl chloride that can be harmful. It comes with eco-friendly packaging and accessories such as a headset and a charger, the company explained.

"Going green is the new motto of many other global IT firms. Samsung strives to be a good corporate citizen that contributes to environmental sustainability," said Choi Gee-sung, President of Samsung`s telecommunications division.

He said the company will further its green campaign by setting up a handset recycling system, while introducing more of the environmentally-friendly products that exclude harmful material and consume less energy.

By Lee Sun-young

(milaya@heraldm.com)