Fabrik Unveils Eco-Friendly External Drive

Fabrik's new eco-friendly SimpleTech [re]drive external drive features a case made from recycled aluminum and bamboo.

Storage and backup vendor Fabrik has announced an new external hard drive that it’s claiming to be the world’s most eco-friendly. The new SimpleTech [re]drive sports a 500 GB capacity, USB 2.0 connectivity, a fanless cooling system and an Energy Star-compliant AC adapter, all of which add up to a 90 percent power savings compared to typical exteral hard drives. But then there’s the case: made from sustainable bamboo and recycled aluminum for a distinct look.

“Many consumers are concerned with helping solve the most important environmental issue of our time—protecting our planet from the threats of climate change,” said Fabrik VP of marketing Matt McRae, in statement. “At Fabrik, we’re making an effort to support the environment, while adapting our products to better meet consumer needs and interests. We know we have a lot more work to do across the board as a company, but we’re committed to change and hope we’ll make a small dent in improving the environment—through our products, services, partner choices and company best practices.”

The [re]drive’s thick aluminum casing acts as a heat sink for the drive mechanism—enabling it to run fanless—and woods just don’t get whole lot more sustainable than bamboo, which is on average about 15 percent harder than maple and literally grows like a weed. The bamboo used in Fabrik’s cases is grown near their facility, so there’s no long transport for the material.

The [re]drive also comes in completely recyclable packaging to reduce waste, without extra bagging or inserts, and the included backup software and user guide are stored on the drive itself rather than included on separate media.

The 500 GB [re]drive is available now with a suggested retail price of $159.99.