Arsenic, mercury, PVC, brominated flame retardants: PC-making can be a dirty business. But in recent years, manufacturers have increasingly adopted processes and materials that minimize its environmental impact, even as legislation around the world has required that old PCs are sent for recycling.

Less attention, though, has been paid to peripherals. But now the creation of robust, high-grade plastic substitutes from renewable materials has given birth to the world’s first biodegradable computer mouse. Fujitsu’s M440 ECO mouse uses the environmentally friendly plastic alternatives BIOGRADE (a form of cellulose acetate) and ARBOFORM (based on lignin, a byproduct of the pulp industry mixed with natural fibers), making it 100% recyclable.

The mouse is the latest addition to the company’s proGREEN product series and sits alongside the KBPC PX ECO recyclable keyboard where 45% of standard plastic keyboard components are replaced with materials made from renewable sources. Both use PVC-free cables.

“This kind of innovation shows that it is possible to eliminate the use of non-renewable sources from the IT lifecycle, to create durable, eco- friendly products without extra cost,” says Garry Sales, product marketing manager for client products at Fujitsu UK and Ireland. The ECO mouse costs around €15.