Apple responds to critisism from Greenpeace

Steve Jobs have written a response to the criticism about Apples environmental standards. It seems that they actually do better than Greenpeace thought they did. Well, that's positive :-)

According to Apple they do better than HP and Dell, and have some sensible plans for chemical reduction and recycling.

I'm glad that Apple finally put some focus this. We need focus on this. Consumers have a lot to say, but they don't always contextualize. When they do contextualize they have a tendency to do it on a limited information basis. For instance the Greenpeace campaign (which I fully support) apparently didn't have all the relevant information about Apple.

While the power of the consumer is great to create focus on an issue, in this case, I think what we need is legislation. Set some limits for what chemical levels are allowed and require computer manufacturers to have a recycling policy. I think we need a objective and trusted investigation entity to determine how the computer manufacturers are doing.

A solution would be to put a tax on chemicals in computers. That would certainly encourage computer manufacturers to reduce those chemicals.

iWaste: Apples aren't green :-(

I am the happy owner of a MacBook Pro, a nice computer with a really nice OS. Or, at least I used to be happy about it. I have had quite ambivalent feelings since I discovered that Apple is one of the biggest pigs when it comes to toxic chemicals in computers :-(

Then I heard that Apple is going to let the share holders vote about removing those toxics. Actually it seems that the board opposes doing it:

"Apple's board says it opposes the resolution, arguing that the company already has adequate environmental standards."

from computer world article



Yeah right! Your standards are about the lousiest in the industry! I hope that your sales drops if this doesn't change. Is the only way of being environmental about this to not buy Apple computers any more? If that is the case, I already bought my last mac. Doesn't Apple realize that this is going to drive their stock down?

Greenpeace is running a campaign where you write Steve and tell him that you are unhappy to. Consider doing it. Go to www.greenmyapple.org to check it out.

Update
Follow up: Apple has responded to criticism from Greenpeace