Universal micro-USB cell phone charger, a solution to 51,000 tons of third party chargers produced each year.

This is fantastic to see. With some 51,000 tons of redundant cell phone chargers produced each year, there is now a common sense (retroactive capitalist) market solution to all that mindless production.

The GSMA also estimates that they will reduce annual greenhouse gas emissions by 13.6m tonnes.

"This is a significant step in reducing the environmental impact of mobile charging," said Malcolm Johnson, director of ITU's Telecommunication Standardisation Bureau.

"Universal chargers are a common-sense solution that I look forward to seeing in other areas."

The charger has a micro-USB port at the connecting end, using similar technology to digital cameras.

It is not compulsory for manufacturers to adopt the new chargers but the ITU says that some have already signed up to it.

BBC NEWS | Technology | Universal phone charger approved