There were plenty of brand new products being buzzed about at this year’s Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, but one of the most talked about was the the new mini Vaio from Sony, and the reason for its appeal—apart from some pretty impressive tech specs—was its added eco-friendliness.

The new mini PC’s biggest bragging rights are its recycled plastic chassis, made from approximately 23 percent recycled CDs (a progressive amount compared to most computers on the market). The little green Vaio also meets Energy Star, EPEAT and RoHs standards, which means it runs lighter on the environment than your average laptop and was made without the use of certain hazardous materials that are all too common in many electronics. To top things off, the mini Vaio is sold in a reusable carrying case made from recycled PET plastics instead of the more conventional cardboard box (provided you pick it up in person).

Of course, there’s also a literally green tint to the latest Vaio, but the trend of coloring items green to convey eco-friendliness is starting to feel very gimmicky, whether in the electronics world or any other realm of consumer products.

The green Vaio is just the latest act in Sony’s commitment to getting greener, and if last year was any indication the company is making progress on the issue. They’ve moved up a spot in the latest Greenpeace Guide to Greener Electronics by using renewable energy, honestly disclosing greenhouse gas emissions, and focusing on energy-saving features. In other standings, Apple also improved their rankings this year and the green-touting Dell fell. You can check out the full Greenpeace report in PDF here and check out more of Sony’s Greenzer-ranked goods here.

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