I don't think they're biodegradable or anything where they'd melt into a puddle of soy after a few years or however that process works; they're just a slightly thinner plastic case with the cutouts. I'm sure it reduced the amount of plastic used, which is a nice little way of going green. Chances are, the companies who make the cases got a huge amount of tax credits for using less plastic, recycling and using less energy.

I don't have an issue with them because my games are still protected and free of damage. I don't think I've had one of the new cases break on me either, but then again, all of my games and movies just go on my shelves.