New Mobile News podcast now online

This week's Mobile News podcast previews the MOTO W233 Renew, which is made from recycled plastic bottles. Plus, as usual, we'll be taking our regular look at the latest news headlines from the mobile industry. You can download or listen free at TheFonecast.com and on the Mobile News website... and you'll find us on iTunes and via RSS too.

The Mobile News podcast is presented and produced by Iain Graham, James Rosewell and Mark Bridge at TheFonecast.com

New Motorola handset made from recycled water bottles

Motorola has announced the MOTO W233 Renew, which it's describing as the world’s first mobile phone made using plastics comprised of recycled water bottles - and the world's first carbon-neutral mobile phone (thanks to a carbon offsetting deal). The case is recyclable, the box is printed on recycled paper and there's a postage-paid recycling envelope in the box for your old phone (well, there is in the USA, where the Renew will be available on T-Mobile within the next few weeks). [Press release]

Germans use mobiles to control street lights

The village of Doerentrup in Germany is using mobile phones to save electricity and reduce carbon emissions. Street lamps are switched off at 9pm but local residents who've registered their mobile phones with the council can call a special access code to switch individual street lights on for 15 minutes. [Source: BBC News video, audio]

O2 launches universal energy-saving charger

Hot on the heels of the recent cross-manufacturer charger rating system, O2 says it's become the first UK network to launch an energy-efficient universal mobile phone charger. The £14.99 O2 Universal Charger claims to cut energy consumption by as much as 70% compared to standard mobile phone chargers by reducing charge to the mobile phone once the battery is fully charged - even if the charger is left switched on in a plug socket. The company says the energy saved by all phones using the O2 Universal Charger would be enough to make over 7 billion cups of tea - the equivalent of £31 million - or, from an environmental perspective, could save the equivalent carbon emissions of over 36,000 cars per annum. Mind you, at the moment it'll only work with Nokia, Samsung and Sony Ericsson devices. And the cost of buying universal chargers for all of the estimated 73 million mobiles in the UK would be £1.094 billion. [Press release]

Mobile manufacturers agree rating system for chargers

LG, Motorola, Nokia, Samsung and Sony Ericsson have launched an energy rating system for chargers, making it easier for consumers to choose the most energy-saving devices. The new rating system indicates how much energy each charger uses when left plugged into the wall socket after charging is completed. The ratings covers all chargers currently sold by the five companies, range from five stars for the most efficient chargers down to zero stars for those consuming the most energy. Ratings will be shown on each manufacturer's web site. [Nokia press release]

Nokia and Samsung top Greenpeace 'Greener Electronics Guide'

Environmental campaign group Greenpeace has just published its ninth edition of the Greener Electronics Guide, which ranks leading companies in the mobile phone, computer, TV and games console industries according to their policies and practices on toxic chemicals, recycling and energy. Mobile phone companies take the top two positions, with Nokia leading and Samsung in second place. Nokia scored seven out of ten, with Samsung rated at 5.9 out of ten. Sony Ericsson has dropped from its previous lead to fourth place. [Press release]

Only 3% of mobiles recycled

A global survey from Nokia shows that only 3% of people recycle their mobile phones. 74% didn't even think about recycling their devices, with nearly half unaware that it is possible to recycle unwanted handsets. (The UK did best in this part of the survey, with 80% awareness of handset recycling). The company said recycling one mobile phone for every mobile user worldwide would save 240,000 tonnes of raw materials and would reduce the amount of greenhouse gases generated by 4 million cars. [Press release]

New podcast edition of 'The Fonecast' now online

This week’s edition of the Mobile News podcast (produced by TheFonecast.com) includes our regular look at industry news headlines and gossip from the last 7 days. Mobile News editorial director Ian White talks about a press release that’s been troubling him, plus there's a preview of the Motorola MOTO Z10 video-focussed smartphone.

The Mobile News podcast is produced by The Fonecast. There's more information about the team and an archive of previous broadcasts at TheFonecast.com.

Vodafone to cut CO2 emissions

Vodafone has said it plans to reduce its CO2 emissions by 50% by 2020, mainly by improving energy efficiency and increasing its use of renewable energy. It says it had reviewed a number of options, including carbon off-setting, and concluded that the most effective strategy was to cut CO2 emissions directly. [Press release]