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AT&T continues eco push with Pantech Renue

The Pantech Renue has a slide-out QWERTY keyboard and helps spearhead AT&T's new eco-ratings standards.

Jessica Dolcourt Senior Director, Commerce & Content Operations
Jessica Dolcourt is a passionate content strategist and veteran leader of CNET coverage. As Senior Director of Commerce & Content Operations, she leads a number of teams, including Commerce, How-To and Performance Optimization. Her CNET career began in 2006, testing desktop and mobile software for Download.com and CNET, including the first iPhone and Android apps and operating systems. She continued to review, report on and write a wide range of commentary and analysis on all things phones, with an emphasis on iPhone and Samsung. Jessica was one of the first people in the world to test, review and report on foldable phones and 5G wireless speeds. Jessica began leading CNET's How-To section for tips and FAQs in 2019, guiding coverage of topics ranging from personal finance to phones and home. She holds an MA with Distinction from the University of Warwick (UK).
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Jessica Dolcourt
Pantech Renue
AT&T's eco-friendly Pantech Renue is a compact messaging phone. Josh Miller/CNET

AT&T is digging in behind its February promise of eco-ratings for phones sold with the carrier's service with the sale of the Pantech Renue.

The Renue is built from 67 percent recyclable components, and its packaging is constructed from 95 percent recycled paper and printed with soy ink, which isn't a petroleum industry byproduct. The onboard power-saving app is another nod to Earth's resources. In addition, the Renue has a slide-out QWERTY keyboard, a 3.2-inch touch screen, and a 3-megapixel camera. It costs $69.99 with a new two-year service agreement.

AT&T's environmental thrust comes after the carrier's surveys found that "more than 6 in 10 Americans said they would consider an eco-rating in their purchasing decision, all other things being equal." Starting July 30, AT&T says, it will release eco-rating labels on postpaid handset devices, and on 14 existing cell phones.

The eco-rating system pertains to hazardous materials like certain chemicals, environmentally preferable materials like recycled paper and soy ink, energy efficiency, "responsible end-of-life treatment," and "environmentally-responsible manufacturing."

The Samsung Galaxy Exhilarate, which was announced at CES 2012, was the first of AT&T's phones to arrive with the new cardboard packaging. The box is certified environmentally preferable, but there are no other ratings indications.

Watch this: Pantech Renue does compact QWERTY messaging for AT&T