Finnish manufacturer Nokia Corp. has unveiled an eco-friendly handset, perhaps setting off a green-friendly race in the mobile manufacturing business.

The Nokia 3110 Evolve operates in tandem with a remote sensor unit that is worn on the wrist or around the neck, dangling from a strap made of eco-friendly solar cells.

Using the Eco Sensor Concept developed at the Nokia Research Center, the device can be customized to a user's ecological interest. Users can choose from a suite of sensors to monitor anything from vitals to ambient temperature and pollution levels.

By making consumers aware of their heart rate, they can conscientiously decide to slow down or calm down in order to limit their daily carbon output, thus benefiting themselves and the environment, according to Nokia.

The company touts its usage of the "three Rs" -- reduce, reuse and recycle -- in the development of the Nokia Eco Sensor Concept.

Both the handset and sensor are constructed entirely from renewable or reclaimed materials.

Comprised of plant-based plastics and 100 percent recycled steel, the device may be a vision of the future for environmentally conscious consumers.

The sensor's solar cells analyze the local environment, health, and weather conditions via near-field communication technology (NFC) that relays information from the sensor to the Nokia handset.

The sensors are compatible with dedicated NFC-compatible mobile phones.

The possibilities to introduce creative and useful mobile applications and Web services that build upon the environmental data collected from such a design concept are numerous, Nokia claims.

The company outlined services ranging from personal health monitoring and improvement to large-scale collective efforts to promote sustainable lifestyle choices as prime marketing opportunities.

Nokia said it hopes this new offering will stimulate an ongoing discussion and idea sharing, both within the mobile industry and with consumers.