14 DAY TRIAL // Charlotte, North Carolina-based BOLTgroup has come up with what might be the greenest piece of tech to have ever been created. Long story short, these greenheads have designed and manufactured a biodegradable memory stick, which they call Gigs 2 Go.
BOLTgroup's Gigs 2 Go is made of recycled paper pulp. The folks who developed it say that they chose this material due to the fact that it is both inexpensive and eco-friendly. What's more, it can be written on.
Interestingly enough, BOLTgroup claims that, despite being made of recycled paper pulp, its biodegradable memory stick is surprisingly durable and can be used several times before one has no choice but dispose of it.
“The molded paper pulp enclosure is made from 100% post-consumer recycled paper. It's renewable, biodegradable, lightweight, cheap, and durable enough to ensure that each tab should last for many uses,” BOLTgroup says.
Gigs 2 Go sells in packs of four, and its manufacturers say that, unlike other memory sticks, it can easily switch owners without anyone feeling like they've lost something very precious to them.
“When you need to share files on-the-go, simply tear off a tab from the Gigs 2 Go pack. Each tab is a tiny thumb drive,” the memory stick's creators explain.
“Because Gigs 2 Go is inexpensive and made from recycled materials, you can feel comfortable leaving a tab with a friend or colleague. And you've still got more tabs, ready when you need them,” they further detail.
Gigs 2 Go stores data on a COB (chip-on-board) stick it is fitted with. BOLTgroup says that, unlike run-off-the-mill USBs now available on the market, its COB sticks are water- and shockproof, hence the fact that one does not need to use a cap to keep it safe. Besides, they are incredibly small and thin.
BOLTgroup is now asking for help bringing its eco-friendly memory stick on the market. It has started a Kickstarter campaign, and aims to raise $14,000 (€10,183) by January 8, 2014. So far, it has received pledges of over $7,700 (€5,600), so it looks like folks have really taken a liking to this green piece of tech.
Check out the video below to learn more about this initiative, and head over to Kickstarter if you feel like helping BOLTgroup achieve its goal of makingGigs 2 Go commercially available.