Sprint Nextel announced a series of initiatives designed to promote its eco-friendliness. As part of that plan, the company will launch a new phone from Samsung, the Reclaim, which is made from "bio-plastic" materials, according to the companies. 

Sprint said it is the first U.S. wireless carrier to set up environmentally friendly design criteria for future devices and accessories. The company will work with device and accessory suppliers to make products that reduce the use of potentially hazardous materials, are energy efficient, more recyclable and have more eco-friendly packaging. Sprint also said that, beginning in September, it will add a special section to all its stores that highlights its eco-friendly approach.

Additionally, Sprint said it would cut its paper usage by 30 percent during the next five years.

As for the carrier's new Samsung phone, Sprint will launch the Reclaim Aug. 16 for $50 with a two-year contract and after a $50 mail-in rebate. The messaging phone has a bio-plastic shell made from corn that makes up 40 percent of its outer casing. The phone comes with no paper user manual, and the outer packaging and the phone tray inside the box are made from 70 percent recycled materials. Additionally, when customers buy the Reclaim, $2 of the proceeds will go to the Nature Conservancy's Adopt an Acre program, which supports land conservation across the United States.

For more:
- see this Sprint release
- see this Samsung release

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