Apple Takes Last In Environment Says Greenpeace
04.04.07 - 01:36pm
Greenpeace has just released their lated version of Guide to Greener Electronics and Apple has come in last.
Apple and Greenpeace has long been fighting the environmental battle with Greenpeace often asking them to take some simple steps to help protect the environment such as recycling old computers for free. Apple has largely ignored Greenpeace and the environment.
Apple does offer a recycling program but it is sorely lacking in making it consumer friendly. While the company will take back iPods they will only take back an old computer if you are buying a new one. You must also ship your old computer in you can’t return it at an Apple store and none of Apple’s recycling program is valid in Hawaii or Alaska.
Greenpeace spokeswoman Iza Kruszewska said, “Apple initially participated in regular conference calls with Greenpeace on the ratings scheme, but didn’t change its practices any more than required by law. Once we launched the ‘Green my Apple’ website, we stopped hearing from Apple altogether,” she said.
This may eventually land Apple in some hot water especially in European countries which may force Apple into doing more recycling.
The EU is trying to deal with the problem of the tens of millions of electrical and electronic goods thrown away every year, often with toxic chemicals contained in them. Globally at the moment though there are no regulations on dumping the goods.
Jaun Savan, leader of Greenpeace wrote in an article called Not All Apples Are Green, “Lenovo, Nokia and Sony Ericsson have the top three spots with progressive approaches to their use of chemicals as well as the disposal of their electronic waste. Dell comes in fourth. In sharp contrast, Apple is awarded the last place, because the company has made absolutely no improvements to its policies or practices since the ranking was first released last year, in stark contrast to most of its major competitors.”
Dell has gone to offering free recycling of all computers, a program Michael Dell announced at CES saying, “I challenge every PC maker to join us in providing free recycling for every customer in every country … all the time - no exceptions.”
In contrast Apple has unanimously voted down two shareholder resolutions: As You Sow, a nonprofit firm that promotes corporate responsibility on behalf of shareholders, filed a resolution about recycling, asking the company to study the issue and a resolution by Trillium Asset Management, a socially responsible investment firm, asked Apple to look closely at the toxics issue.
Apple did however respond for the first time this year to the Carbon Disclosure Project which asks companies to report on greenhouse gas emissions. Apple said they were reducing the size and weight of its computers along with its packaging and it reported publicly on a controversy surrounding iPod manufacturing in China, in which Foxconn, the manufacturer of the iPod was accused of running sweatshops in order to make the goods.
Still in an issue that requires corporate finesse, something Apple is usually incredibly adept at, many wonder why apple is basically “snubbing” all issues regarding the environment. This is especially so when Al Gore, who is supposed to be leading the fight against global warming, sits on the board of directors and yet joined in the vote against any resolutions.
Lenova, the Chinese PC manufacturer was first on Green Peace’s Guide to Greener Electronics, due to making strong policy commitments.
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