Boffins develop flowering mobile phone

Researchers at Warwick University have developed a biodegradable mobile phone case containing a seed that flowers when planted.

The case is made of a new type of polymer that when buried will start to break down within two weeks. A seed is implanted in the case that germinates when the case degrades.

The team hope that the environmentally friendly casing will be popular with green consumers, and mobile phone companies keen to reduce waste. The research was carried out with Motorola and PVAXX Research and Development.

"Legislation is now coming out that requires mobile phone manufacturers to take back their products at the end of their lives," said Dr Kerry Kirwan of the Warwick Manufacturing Group at Warwick University.

"Our idea is that it would cost a lot of money to collect, separate, segregate and dispose of the plastic parts of these mobile phones.

"By incorporating a seed, and giving the consumer a reason to actually take the phone apart and dispose of it, they could save a lot of money, time and effort."