NTT DOCOMO goes green by announcing a cellphone prototype that was manufactured using surplus wood of trees culled during thinning operations in order to maintain healthy forests. The prototype was developed as a partnership with Sharp Corporation, Olympus Corporation and “more trees,” a reforestation project that was started founded by musician Ryuichi Sakamoto and other like-minded people. Using authentic cypress wood for its body, the handset is known as Touch Wood, boasting excellent durability and resistance to water, insects and mildew courtesy of 3D compression molding developed by Olympus Corporation. No two handsets are alike, as each of them comes with their personal grain patterns and natural coloring. Neither were colors or paints used in the process for an all natural look. No idea on when such handsets will become commonplace, but at least it is a step in the right direction. [Press Release]
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