As an Apple Mac user and designer, I spend quite a bit of time at my local repair shop to keep my laptop running. Always on the lookout for products made of renewable materials, I noticed the iZen Bamboo Bluetooth Keyboard during my last visit. It stood out from all other computer accessories since it’s made with 92% bamboo. Unlike many other crops, bamboo needs very little water and it grows without the use of pesticides or fertilizers. Compared with traditional hardwood trees, it grows much faster and contributes 35% more oxygen. Bamboo certainly beats most plastic used in many other keyboards since it’s a renewable resource.
Unfortunately, you might be familiar with images of workers with little safety protection sorting through piles of toxic e-waste somewhere overseas like China or India. That’s where a lot of our computers and their accessories end up. If you want to learn more about their negative impact, make sure to check out the video “The Story of Electronics: Why ‘Designed for the Dump’ is Toxic for People and the Planet” by Annie Leonard. It’s a wake-up call about the life cycle of electronics and how we as consumers play a role in it. That’s why I like that the bamboo housing of the iZen Bamboo Bluetooth Keyboard is recyclable and biodegradable. The bamboo used in the keyboard doesn’t contain toxins or dyes and is harvested without creating negative effects on the environment. Its internal components include a rechargeable lithium ion battery and small amounts of metal and plastic. The company encourages responsible recycling with a policy where you can send your product back after its useful life. You’ll receive $10 off your next purchase.
The iZen Bamboo Bluetooth Keyboard works well with Apple iPads, iPhones, or the Apple Smart TV with Blue Tooth technology. It certainly makes it much easier to surf the Internet or Netflix in search of a good Saturday night movie. Who knows, you might even feel inspired to watch the other “Story of Stuff” videos to learn more about making greener choices while shopping.