Environmental Leader

Nokia has launched a new phone, the 3110 Evolve, which the company says has “bio-covers” made from more than 50 percent renewable material. The device comes in new packaging made of 60 percent recycled content and it has a new charger that uses 94 percent less energy than the Energy Star requirements.

“We are committed to taking a leading role in increasing environmental awareness and performance right across the industry, creating further products and services that help people make more sustainable choices,” said Nokia president and CEO Olli-Pekka Kallasvuo, speaking at the annual Nokia World conference. “It is both the responsible thing to do and it makes good business sense.”

Recently, Nokia was the first manufacturer to put alerts into its devices to encourage people to unplug their chargers. According to the company, the power that could be saved globally by all Nokia phone users unplugging their chargers when no longer needed is equivalent to enough energy to power 100,000 average-size European homes.

Nokia released its 2006 corporate responsibility report in April.