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iPhone 3G Packaging To Be Eco-Friendly

Tuesday July 1, 2008 7:48 am PDT by longofest
Apple's iPhone 3G will be encased in environmentally-friendly packaging according to a Dutch blog and translated by The Register.

The report suggests that Apple has contracted Dutch company PaperFoam to create the insert which holds the iPhone. The insert would be 100% recyclable and made from natural resources, either potato starch or Tapioca starch.

The company has been previously contracted by Apple to make foam inserts for the 5G iPod and second generation Nano.


Image Courtesy PaperFoam.com

Apple has stepped up efforts to make its product packaging environmentally friendly over the years, primarily by reducing the packaging size as much as possible to reduce their footprint in landfills. More information regarding Apple's environmental policy is available on Apple's website.
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sebimeyer
Posted: 47 months ago
The smaller the packaging, the more of their Widgets can fit on a shipping container and the more they can fit onto shelves in their stores, or store storage rooms. This translates into both cheaper transport, as well as saved fuels.

It's a win/win for Apple.
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Jacksteruk309
Posted: 47 months ago
Good stuff!

Now get rid of all the nasty chemicals inside the iPhone and I'll be happy :cool:
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Dagless
Posted: 47 months ago
So my 5G iPod box will eventually dissolve on my shelf?
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cryo
Posted: 47 months ago

So my 5G iPod box will eventually dissolve on my shelf?


They said fully recyclable, not 100% biodegradable! :)
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Rojo
Posted: 47 months ago

They said fully recyclable, not 100% biodegradable! :)


Oooohhhh.... biodegradable would be cool!

Or better yet...EDIBLE packaging! Once you open it, you can eat it! Waste is then dealt with in an all new way... :D
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Decrepit
Posted: 47 months ago
Apple packaging never makes it to a landfill, as evidenced by all the picture threads of the box collections that some people have.

And yes, I'm one of them. :p

iPhone
Mini G4
iPod Shuffle
.Mac
iWork 08
OS X Leopard
Airport Extreme
Wireless Keyboard

Hey Steve, release a new Mini so I can add a box to the shelf!
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Tom B.
Posted: 47 months ago


The company has been previously contracted by Apple to make foam inserts for the 5G iPod and second generation nano.


The second generation nano had a plastic box with no foam inserts. I think you mean the first generation nano, as shown in the pictures on their website.
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Full of Win
Posted: 47 months ago
So let me get this right... Mr. Jobs claimed that the new iMac's went to Aluminum, because its more eco-friendly (e.g recycling). However, with the new iPhone, they went away from Aluminum, a material by Apple own admission is easier to recycle, to a less friendly plastic material. So, yes they very well might have a better packaging scheme, but they have a less environmentally conscious design as well.
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bogg
Posted: 47 months ago
I too want edible packaging! Come on Apple, I want apple flavoured packaging!
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Chupa Chupa
Posted: 47 months ago

So let me get this right... Mr. Jobs claimed that the new iMac's went to Aluminum, because its more eco-friendly (e.g recycling). However, with the new iPhone, they went away from Aluminum, a material by Apple own admission is easier to recycle, to a less friendly plastic material. So, yes they very well might have a better packaging scheme, but they have a less environmentally conscious design as well.


Well there is a difference. The aluminum back on the 3G iPhone was scrapped because aluminum weakens the cell signal and especially causes interference with the 3G antenna. It's not unlike the poor Wi-Fi reception of the original TiBooks. The metal case killed the Wi-Fi signal. So while Apple is trying to be enviro-conscious they aren't going to do so at the expense of their own business when there is an acceptable alternative (plastic).
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