A Greener Apple
A Greener Apple
by , 2:15 PM EDT, May 2nd, 2007
Apple, via another public letter from Steve Jobs, has responded to the recent criticisms of Greenpeace, changed Apple's policy, and described where Apple stands with respect to toxic chemicals in the manufacturing process and the recycling of waste.
"I was surprised to learn that in many cases Apple is ahead of, or will soon be ahead of, most of its competitors in these areas. Whatever other improvements we need to make, it is certainly clear that we have failed to communicate the things that we are doing well," Mr Jobs wrote.
A rather detailed analysis of toxic chemicals used in the manufacture of Apple products with specific comparison to competitors was followed by details on Apple's recycling program.
- Removing Toxic Chemicals Apple is actually ahead of most vendors in practice.
- Recycling By 2010, Apple may be recycling significantly more than either Dell or HP as a percentage of past sales weight.
- Future Reporting Apple will provide an annual report from now on of their efforts and accomplishments.
Notably, Mr. Jobs pointed out: "All of Apple’s U.S. retail stores, which now number more than 150, take back unwanted iPods for environmentally friendly disposal free of charge. As an incentive, we even offer customers a 10% discount on a new iPod when they bring their old iPod to our stores for proper disposal."
"Today is the first time we have openly discussed our plans to become a greener Apple, "Mr. Jobs concluded. "It will not be the last."
[UPDATE: this story was edited to include additional information.]
Observer Comments
It is the type of report that greenpeace should have issued instead of the propaganda that they used to try to shake down apple. It really makes greenpeace look foolish and petty.
One of the nice things about the letter is that it gives some ideas as to what might be included in some of the upgrades that Apple comes up with in the next couple of months.
Neal
It just shows Greenpeace, et al, as the media whores they are. Greenpeace especially so since they had access to some of this information via the independent research they commissioned (but chose to ignore because it did not fit in their whoremongering agenda). Will be interesting to see how Greenpeace spin-doctors this. No doubt they will now try to take undeserved credit for “reforming” Apple! ![]()
QuoteRainy Day wrote:
It just shows Greenpeace, et al, as the media whores they are. Greenpeace especially so since they had access to some of this information via the independent research they commissioned (but chose to ignore because it did not fit in their whoremongering agenda). Will be interesting to see how Greenpeace spin-doctors this. No doubt they will now try to take undeserved credit for “reforming” Apple!
Isn't this "a response" to greenpeace? So wasn't it their pressure over the past half decade that has indeed reformed Apple?
My ex-girlfriend is a Greenpeace intern and also an avid Apple fan. She was told upon the start of her internship of their focus on Apple. They felt that all the other major players had stated their intention to change in the future but Apple had not. Given Apple's very prevalent media attention, the decision was made to focus negatively on them while positively highlighting the others.
I have made sure to forward this open letter to her, and I am hoping she will share it with those around her.
Thu May 03, 2007 3:32 am Subject: Re: It is indeed a response to Greenpeace
QuoteAnonymous wrote:
My ex-girlfriend is a Greenpeace intern and also an avid Apple fan. She was told upon the start of her internship of their focus on Apple. They felt that all the other major players had stated their intention to change in the future but Apple had not. Given Apple's very prevalent media attention, the decision was made to focus negatively on them while positively highlighting the others.
I have made sure to forward this open letter to her, and I am hoping she will share it with those around her.
In my view, the letter represents a big F$CK YOU to Greenpeace, just like they deserve.
"My ex-girlfriend...was told upon the start of her internship of their focus on Apple. They felt that all the other major players had stated their intention to change in the future but Apple had not. Given Apple's very prevalent media attention, the decision was made to focus negatively on them while positively highlighting the others. "
I'm an avid environmentalist but it's unethical practices like this that push me far away from extremist "ends justifies the means" groups like Greenpeace. It's one thing to call Apple out for not releasing information, but to intentionally misinform is not a line I'm willing to cross.
QuoteGuest wrote:
I'm an avid environmentalist but it's unethical practices like this that push me far away from extremist "ends justifies the means" groups like Greenpeace. It's one thing to call Apple out for not releasing information, but to intentionally misinform is not a line I'm willing to cross.
What exactly is unethical about it? Is the information in the report false? Can you please point out the specific information in that report that is wrong? I find it unethical to claim that an organization is misinforming people without pointing to what specifically was the misinformation. Please justify your inflammatory remarks.
There are two kinds of lies: comission and omission. In Greenpeas' case they commited lies of omission by deliberately omitting the facts that Apple is more "green" than the others. Another unethical behavior of Greenpeas is how they give higher ratings based on how much is donated. "Follow the money".
QuoteGuest wrote:
There are two kinds of lies: comission and omission. In Greenpeas' case they commited lies of omission by deliberately omitting the facts that Apple is more "green" than the others. Another unethical behavior of Greenpeas is how they give higher ratings based on how much is donated. "Follow the money".
Lies of omission is right. Please include the specifics! What did the deliberately omit? Do you have at least one example, if not many (I supposed it would take at least two to make it lies, plural). This is highly slanderous without any specifics. Please try not to be a reactionary like that.
For evidence of their lying ways, pls go to the excellent 4 article series at
www.roughlydrafted.com (search on GreenPeace).
Pls READ the articles. I believe you'll be convinced by the evidence and facts presented.
Bottom Line:
GP brazenly censured Apple for not making plans and promises available while the other companies towed the line with promises for the future.
And then GP presented their misleading attack as Apple not DOING Green when in fact, they knew that Apple's record of action was LEADING EDGE, worthy of commendation, not censure.
Pls note that they attacked Apple as if it was the WORST offender, for purposes of grandstanding, Rovian PR. (Thank God, GP is not running a candidate for President!)
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