The last cellphone concept we wrote about that used wood rather than more traditional plastic or metal, I described as running the risk of looking like an Oldsmobile.  Now we have a handset that embraces nature to an even greater extent; called Chute, Michael Laut’s design takes advantage of fast-growing and eco-friendly bamboo to sheath an otherwise regular smartphone. 

As Michael points out, bamboo is the fastest growing wood and is also stronger in many cases than plastic.  It also has the benefit of being bio-degradable.

While Chute looks a little more acceptable than the CulArt concept, I can’t help but think that ideas of recycling more typical tech materials – such as seen in Nokia’s remade prototype – is the future for eco-friendly handsets.

[via Yanko Design]