Replacing Phones Consciously

The LINC phone concept allows users to replace and upgrade their phones consciously. It’s an interesting idea to feature here because although the time most folks take to swap is growing, people are often compelled to buy new urged not only by mobile makers messages and also just by the human fascination with the new and shiny (and a few other reasons, we’re sure).

Recognizing that the urge to replace won’t go away, LINC offers a contract that sends you a new phone every year but takes back your old one and recycles it. Greener Grass, who developed LINC, say on their blog:

LINC is to be shipped back to a regional manufacturing facility. The device contains valuable materials like aluminum, glass, and electronic components that the producer can harvest for re-use. Typically, mobile phones contain hazardous waste that goes into a landfill or are left in a desk drawer to sit in.

LINC is designed for automated disassembly. A directed radiant heat beam targets its internal memory metal latch, releasing the assembly. In one step, LINC automatically disassembles into its few simple components, glass, aluminum and its circuit flex. The glass and aluminum, not containing any paints or adhesives, are easily recycled to pure grade materials for immediate reuse. The remaining flexible circuit contains all the electronics necessary for the entire device. It’s full of hazardous materials, but it has been safely recovered for proper disposal. Many of the chip sets can easily be pulled for reuse. Components like the graphics card are out dated for LINC, but can be used in devices like portable gaming systems.

Linc changes the entire paradigm of the production and consumption model today. If implemented, a design such as this could greatly reduce hazardous waste and improve environmental health by reducing e-waste. But we also wanted something that is very desirable and in line with the kind of gadgets todays users expect. Something that targets all the key issues of today’s gadgets and attempts to offer feasible solutions and start a discussion as to how we can do better.

Nice thinking that could possibly have been inspired by this article in the Times.

LINC / Greener Grass

[via Electro^Plankton]