Dell steps up green wars with bamboo boxes
updated 11:45 am EST, Tue November 17, 2009
Dell Minis to ship in bamboo packaging
Dell today boasted an industry first by becoming the first to ship its computers in bamboo packaging. The Mini 10 and 10v will have boxes made primarily of the more efficient material, which regrows much faster than the trees used for cardboard and is more easily renewable. As it takes as much stress as steel, it even provides more protection and replaces not just cardboard but also the foam normally used to cushion against an impact.
The Texas-based company adds that about 25 percent of the outer box is made of used, recycled material and that the Mini won't be the only computer receiving the treatment. More systems should come shipped in bamboo during 2010.
Dell's material swap comes as part of a larger initiative to reduce the waste in its packaging and as part of an escalation of the rivalry between itself and other self-proclaimed green PC makers like Apple. The latter claims that Dell and others provide misleading environmental figures by considering only a small portion of what's involved in making, shipping and using a computer. Its policies have included both very compact boxes but also the heavy use of recyclable materials in Macs where Dell still uses a large amount of plastic. Apple's moves have led to compliments from Greenpeace while leaving Dell behind.
Now If Only ...
11/17, 12:26pm reply
... they would recycle the contents of the box at the same time they ship the box, the world would be a much better place.
Foe Hammer
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Feb 2005
Woohoo, GREEN!
11/17, 01:05pm reply
Made in China? Assembled in Mexico? Packaging made in China? Packaged in Mexico? Next story of the day: "Freight company hires unemployed US workers to row freighter across ocean as eco-friendly means of transporting goods." That box is a pretty color though...
PRoth
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Aug 2008
Junk packaged in junk
11/17, 01:16pm reply
When will these damned netbooks go away?
Mr. Strat
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Jan 2002
Bottom Line
11/17, 01:26pm reply
So for people who couldn't care less about packaging materials, how much extra does using bamboo add to the price of one of these cut-throat margin machines? Or does Dell take the financial hit to boost its PR with envirowhackos?
danviento
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Dec 2005
What about the starving Giant Pandas?
11/17, 01:49pm (2 replies) reply
So if they are using all the bamboo to make boxes and packaging materials, what will all the Giant Pandas eat?
jhawk95
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Oct 2006
bam
11/17, 05:53pm reply
Can you recycle a bamboo box as easily as you can a cardboard one? Will the fibres mix, so you can just put it in with the cardboard?
elroth
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Jul 2006
Yay, war
11/17, 10:19pm reply
Finally, a war I can get behind...
WiseWeasel
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Apr 1999
Comments
11/18, 12:57pm reply
When will these damned netbooks go away?
Never. Why would anyone want them to go away? Oh, right, because they aren't a 'real' computer, or they're not fancy and decorative like a Mac.
The only problem that exists with netbooks is that too many people have realized that the more expensive computers they were buying have become much more than they need, and they only need something like a netbook. Perhaps if the OS makers optimized their OS for speed and size (like someone we know), you wouldn't think you needed a mega computer just to get email.
Can you recycle a bamboo box as easily as you can a cardboard one? Will the fibres mix, so you can just put it in with the cardboard?
Forget that, why not just throw it in the compost heap!
testudo
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Aug 2001