Fujitsu's Plastic-Free Mouse Designed for Composting
Fujitsu is expanding its use of non-petroleum-based materials with a new mouse featuring a compostable shell. Read More
Fujitsu is expanding its use of non-petroleum-based materials with a new mouse featuring a compostable shell.
The company’s M440 ECO computer mouse is made with two wood-based materials that can be disposed of in industrial compost settings, and the remains can be recycled as well, Fujitsu says.
The mouse’s shell is entirely made from Arboform and Biograde. Arboform, produced by TECNARO, is based on lignin, a pulp industry byproduct. The lignin is mixed with natural fibers and natural additives to create a composite that can be processed and molded. Biograde is a wood cellulose-based material made by FKuR, which combines the cellulose with acetates to make synthetic fiber and bio-based plastic. In addition, the mouse’s cable doesn’t contain PVC.
The mouse adds onto Fujitsu’s previous work with bioplastics, which can also be found in its KBPC PX ECO keyboard, released last year, though only 45 percent of the keyboard is bio-based. By integrating bioplastic into the keyboard, Fujitsu estimates it saves on using about 66 tons of plastic a year.
Fujitsu is also touting that the bio-based material in its new mouse is more elastic than other materials, making the product more ergonomical and comfortable.
The mouse is currently only available in the U.K., Fujitsu operates a product recycling program, which already sorts out biodegradable material, in Europe for business customers, working with electronics refurbishers and recyclers.
