AT&T announces eco-friendly initiative, packaging for wireless devices

AT&T has some good news for the planet today. The wireless provider has announced an initiative to support sustainability and reduce the amount of materials wasted by the company, starting with their own product packaging.

The centerpiece of AT&T's plan is to revamp the packaging on wireless devices shipped out this year. That includes simple measures like slimming packaging to reworking the design. For example, plastic “clam shell”-style packaging be swapped out for smaller, recyclable paper boxes.

The goal: to avoid more than 200 tons of wasted plastic and paper in 2010, which is equivalent to 1,100 cubic yards of landfill space. Wow.

AT&T's eco-friendly initiative also has some points that go beyond this calendar year, including promotion of recycling old gadgets themselves and predicting to collect up to 14 million wireless devices for recycling by the end of 2011.

Some people might say that this initiative is just to attract attention, and they're not really concerned with the environment. Even if it's just a PR move, at least its one that will benefit everyone - even people who don't buy AT&T wireless products.