Biodegradable laptop arrives in Japan

Fujitsu has taken the use of biodegradable plastic beyond picnic ware and household items, and designed a laptop with a biodegradable chassis.

The Fujitsu LifeBook sports a chassis made from a plastic made from cornstarch, rather than petroleum. When it is disposed of, the chassis will decompose in a matter of months, as opposed to decades for standard plastic.

Cornstarch-based plastic results in 15 per cent less carbon emissions, experts say.

Fujitsu has also used the plastic on mobile phones and point-of-sale terminals.

The LifeBook is currently available only in Japan but it is likely that similar products will start to appear in Europe and the US. The cost of bio-plastic is expected to decline as manufacturing companies such as Cereplast and agricultural company Archer Daniels Midland expand their production.

Michael Kanellos writes for CNET News.com