This is a first, at least from Apple. A portion of the new Fifth-Generation iPod Touch and Seventh Generation iPod Nano's packaging is biodegradable. Just add water and the EarPod holder dissolves.

Apple's long been a leader in product package design and has often touted how eco-friendly its products are (though not all always agree). However this is the first time, in our memory, we've ever seen a portion of Apple's packaging that could all but disappear in warm water.

The EarPod case doesn't completely disappear, but when placed in warm water, it pretty soon becomes pliable, and soon falls apart. After a few minutes, the result is a bunch of pulp (see inset photo). Do not, however, try to dip the iPhone 5's EarPod case into water. That thing is all hard plastic.

To see how this works, watch the video above.

While Apple wouldn't confirm our findings, they did point us to this page, where we found a reference to "renewable tapioca paper foam material," which is apparently in iPhone packaging. It does not mention either of the new iPods, but this appears to be the most likely source for that soft, squishy and ultimately disintegrable packaging.

What do you think of Apple's latest packaging innovation? Should the company get rid of all the plastic and replace it with biodegradable foam? Let us know in the comments.