Greenpeace and Apple have not seen eye to eye for a long time in spite of environmental Nobel Prize winner Al Gore being on the board of directors. They have clashed many times over Apple’s recycling methods and their “take back” policies claiming they are not doing enough. Greenpeace has continued to give Apple low ratings in their reports on how green companies are in spite of Jobs drafting a letter to the contrary. Now they are clashing over chemicals found in the iPhone.
Four of the Phthalate Plasticisers found in the iPhone during tests Greenpeace conducted are considered toxic. In Europe they fall under the classification of “toxic to reproduction, category 2″ and are banned from all use in toys or childcare articles sold there.
Apple is going greener and while Greenpeace is still not satisfied, Jobs in an open letter posted on the Apple website did well to justify where Apple currently is and where it is going.
Apple has taken much grief over the past year from Greenpeace and environmentalists, mainly because they have refused to acknowledge what it is they are doing to go greener but as stated in the letter Jobs wrote, “today we’re changing our policy.”
Apple states that it is taking steps to eliminate toxic chemicals in its computers by going to LED backlit display, as well as no longer using flame-retardant chemicals and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) in any products. Apple is also working to get rid of mercury in its monitor backlighting as soon as it becomes “technically and economically feasible”.
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.
mainly because they have refused to acknowledge what it is they are doing to go greener but as stated in the letter Jobs wrote, “today we’re changing our policy.”
Greenpeace has just released their lated version of Guide to Greener Electronics and Apple has come in last.
