The Steelcase subsidiary, Detail, introduced the first Cradle-to-Cradle certificated keyboard. The keyboard is part of an assembly that includes the keyboard mechanism, a platform and a palmrest. Maybe someone would wonder where the novelty is, since keyboard assemblies are sold just around the corner. Well, this keyboard assembly is entirely made of "materials that were scrutinized for their impact on the environment."

The keyboard assembly is the industry's first one to receive a Cradle-to-Cradle certificate. Most of the products on the market have a cradle-to-grave life cycle, which means that the product is manufactured, sold, used until it is totally worn out and then trashed. The Cradle-to-Cradle approach assumes that a product would re-enter production by recycling it and not being disposed of.

The keyboard assembly is made out of almost entirely recyclable materials with only negligible amounts of raw materials and also has an increased chance to be recycled again. For example, the producer boasts that the keyboard mechanics contain 98 percent of recycled steel, while the keyboard platform is entirely made out of recycled kraft paper. As for the palmrest, the company used waterborne urethane a highly recyclable material.

"We continually seek ways to build products that have a positive impact not only in the office, but also on the environment," says Bud Klipa, president of Details. "Cradle-to-cradle certification for our new keyboard validates our work in this area."

The keyboard is not the first Cradle-to-Cradle achievement, as they have made a tradition from manufacturing using recycled materials, but it is the producer's first keyboard model to be awarded the CtC certification. The eco-friendly enthusiasts can already purchase the recyclable keyboard assembly from the manufacturer's network of dealers and partners, that counts no less than 450 distribution points.