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AT&T Accessory Packaging Sheds 200 Tons

<p>AT&amp;T is introducing new accessory packaging that will reduce paper and plastic use while increasing the amount of recyclable material.<br /> &nbsp;</p>

AT&T is introducing new packaging for accessories that will reduce paper and plastic use while increasing the recyclability of the company's packaging.

The changes to packaging for chargers, cases, batteries and data cables will reduce the amount of plastic AT&T uses by 30 percent and the amount of paper it uses by 60 percent, adding up to 200 tons less of packaging.

For batteries and data cables, AT&T is switching from typically-unrecyclable plastic clamshell packaging to small, recyclable paper boxes. The packaging for cell phone cases and car chargers will be trimmed down, and all packaging will be printed with inks that are not petroleum-based.

AT&T is also pursuing greener packaging for the phones it sells. One of the goals and requirements it laid out last year for suppliers (and which start going into effect this year) is a requirement to reduce packaging, use non-petroleum-based inks and use recycled materials for printed materials in boxes.

AT&T also plans to have 75 percent of new devices be at least 65 percent recyclable, have the majority of new devices comply with the GSMA Universal Charging Initiative, have all new devices comply with the European Union's Restriction of Hazardous Substances, and require suppliers to assert that all devices avoid the use of virgin materials mined in conflict zones in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

The company plans to meet all of those goals by the end of 2011.

AT&T store - http://www.flickr.com/photos/adamjackson/ / CC BY-ND 2.0

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