Intel shapes plastic waste into office accessories

United States – Software giant Intel is making a contribution to the recycling cause – by converting its plastic waste into pencil boxes.

Pioneered by Intel’€™s facilities in Arizona, the project has involved local companies collecting more than 1500 pounds of polystyrene reels previously used to keep yards of computer chip components. These were transformed into almost 4100 pencil boxes – a feat which, according to Intel, has ensured the avoidance of roughly 19 million tons of carbon dioxide emissions.

According to Intel’€™s Commodity Manager Anthony Kong, the initiative is a grave-to-cradle pilot project. ‘€˜We’€™re in discussions internally to see if we can get sponsorships on an annual basis,’€™ he explained to AZCentral. ‘€˜Hopefully we can get this thing rolling and make it into a regular project. The supply lines are set up.’€™

The office accessories were produced in collaboration with Gompers Habilitation Center and Plastics General Polymers, and were funded by Intel’€™s Sustainability in Action grant programme. The boxes are being donated to nearby schools and non-profit organisations that help homeless children in order to spread the message of sustainability to the next generation.

For more information, visit: www.intel.com