Cellphones have become a part and parcel of our everyday routine and living without this device is completely not possible for anyone today. But do we really think about the environment when we purchase a new phone? The answer is a simple no and even some cellphone designers know about this. So when customers don’t think about the environment, designers have taken it into their own hands and have developed concepts such as the LINC which is much more than a simple phone.
In first look LINC seems to be a typical touch screen smart phone with all the connectivity and features that you expect in your smart phone. It has a media player, a web browser, GPS, downloadable content, Bluetooth, Wifi and the latest 3G network. Still we say that it’s much more than a simple phone, because the phone is leased to the user as a service not a product. The user makes use of the device for about an year or so and when the next generation technology hits the market, the user receives a new LINC in the mail. The phone informs the user of the hardware upgrade, transfers the digital account wirelessly and before being shipped back to the manufacturer the phone also informs the user of the next part of its journey.
When the manufacturer receives the device, it removes valuable components such as aluminum, glass and electronic chips from the phone for re-use. This step ensures that hazardous chemicals don’t reach the landfill. Disassembling the LINC is also automated as a directed radiant heat beam targets its internal memory latch, releasing the assembly. In just one step the phone disassembles into its components. From here parts such as glass and aluminum are sent for re-use where are the outdated graphics cards are used in devices such as gaming systems.
Via: The Greener Grass
