Je-Hyun Kim’s Natural Year Phone design almost makes cell phones cool in my book. The phone, which is made up of hay, a screen, and keys, is designed only to last as long as its functional life cycle (2 years) before it biodegrades and falls apart.
The hard components can be recycled, while the hay can be dumped anywhere. Unfortunately, the phone doesn’t appear to be too durable. Many people have a habit of dropping their phones often, and I doubt the Natural Year Phone could survive a fall onto concrete.
The Natural Year Phone is not yet commercially available, and the designer hasn’t provided a timeline for its release.
Photo Credit: Yanko Design
Ariel Schwartz was formerly the editor of CleanTechnica and is a contributor at Fast Company, Inhabitat, Triple Pundit, SF Weekly, and NBC Bay Area Online. A graduate of Vassar College, she has previously worked in publishing, organic farming, documentary film, and newspaper journalism. Her interests include permaculture, hiking, skiing, music, relocalization, and cob (the building material). She currently resides in San Francisco, CA.
