Back in December 2008, Dell set a target to reduce their packaging volume by 10% , equating to nearly 20m pounds of material.
They have also set a target to increase the amount of recycled packaging by 40% and increase the amount of recyclable material in packaging by 75%, all by 2012.
As part of these plans Dell have started to package two of their products with bamboo padding helping them to achive their reduced packaging and recyclable materials targets.
The Dell Inspiron Mini 10 and Mini 10v netbooks will take away the traditional paper pulp, corrugated cardboard or polystyrene and replace it with a natural Bamboo.
Bamboo is more environmentally friendly because it grows so quickly, up to 24 inches a day.
The outer cardboard packaging for the netbooks will be made using 25% post-consumer recycled material.
Dell is sourcing the bamboo from the Jiangxi Province in China that is not near any known panda habitats and follows Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) criteria.
Dell are certifying the packaging for recycling so that consumers will know that the packaging can be recyled rather than thrown away.
Less packaging and recyclable materials seem to be the way forward for retail design and the planet.
