The charge does not draw power when left plugged in and recharges devices more efficiently, AT&T said.

 

It also offers a “block and cable” design that will allow customer to re-use the same charger for future handsets and will, over time, cut the number of chargers produced, thus reducing future landfill waste.

 

The Zero Charger works by automatically sensing when a mobile phone is not plugged up to the charger and cutting the power supply from the wall socket.  

 

It will be sold in packaging with 100% recycled paper has a 5-star efficiency rating, exceeding the standards set by the GSM Association.

 

A conventional charger left plugged into a wall socket wastes enough electricity to power 24,000 homes for a year, or brew 3 to 4 million cups of coffee each day, AT&T said.