Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Bamboo has sprouted all over. It's being used everywhere from floorboards to tableware to inline skates and T-shirts, as consumers increasingly seek out products considered gentler on the Earth.

Now computer maker Dell Inc. is using the fast-growing member of the grass family as a replacement for paper, plastic and foam packaging materials.

Starting Tuesday, the molded cushions that protect two of Dell's computer models from damage during shipping will be made of crushed bamboo.

Making the cushions from bamboo instead of paper pulp takes a little longer, but Dell says it costs less. Dell says it is evaluating other sustainable materials as well.