Technological advancement in the rural environment is not just as fast as the electronic, but also brings environmental protection atop its principles. An example is the new system for producing tobacco seedlings which has use of ecological trays. It is since the 2000 crop that Souza Cruz has been testing this system (Eco-Tray System) as an improvement upon the float system (substrate-carrying styrofoam trays floating on fertilized water), this being used by all Souza Cruz assisted tobacco growers. The new process keeps float's basic concepts, however using trays in cellulose fiber and/or peat moss. Together with the substrate and the root growth, the cells of these materials turn into a ball root which accompanies the seedlings on transport and transplanting. Although the conventional float undoubtedly has such advantages over the traditional seedling production system in soil seedbeds as a greater seedling uniformity, substrate sowing dispenses with soil fumigants (methyl bromide) and easier transplanting, it implies washing and disinfection of styrofoam trays following transplanting and the facility for their storage so they can be reutilized for the next crop. Additionally, the tray disposal process which starts after the tray use for three or four crops, has already been granted close attention by Souza Cruz, considering that styrofoam degradation will not be easy in the soil. At field trial level, this eco-tray system already has produced top quality seedlings during the latest five crops. This system basically maintains float system's advantages, but without its shortcomings, so not presenting styrofoam tray washing, disinfection and storage costs for the grower and which might represent a potential risk of environmental pollution.Main advantages of the new system:- use of renewable materials;- no contamination risks for new seedlings owing to poorly disinfected trays;- transplanting the seedling in the cells preserves better plant root system without any loss of substrate;- no washing, disinfection, or storage of trays;- environment-friendly cells as these will be degraded by soil microbiology three weeks after their use;- no disposal and, consequently, no environmental risks. The next scheduled step consists of trials meant to improve refilling and clipping operations in this system.