Greenpeace kind of, sort of lauds Apple
Every time I read one of Greenpeace’s “greener electronics” guides, I always end up shaking my head in disbelief — they’re just that bad. Why? If anything, the environmental movement needs to adhere to the principles of science and good governance, but that’s not what we’re being sold.
Greenpeace has released the latest version of their guide to greener electronics and our favorite fruit company is now ranked number one or is it? First, compare and contrast this graphic, its legend and the notes for each company:
APPLE: Apple is leading the way on eliminating toxic PVC and BFRs from all it’s new products with the new iMac and MacBook being the first PC’s copmpletely free of PVC and BFRs.
NOKIA: Almost all of Nokia’s new models of mobile phones are free of BFRs. Nokia’s new models have been free of PVC since the end of 2005, and it is now aiming to have all new models free of all brominated and chlorinated compounds and antimony trioxide from the start of 2010.
SONY ERICSSON: Sony Ericsson has also already banned toxic antimony, beryllium and phthalates from new models launched since January 2008.
HP: HP is fast catching up with Apple lead in PVC and BFR phase out and is well ahead of Dell and Lenovo.
ACER: Acer needs to expand this range in 2010 to all its products.
So, Apple’s products are free of the worst hazardous substances, of which PVC and BFR are right up there, except that only the iMac and MacBook are actually free of those substances. But wait, use your mouse to rollover Apple in the table above and you’ll see that Greenpeace also says that “Apple has virtually eliminated toxic PVC and BFRs…” That’s different, too.
Further, if Apple’s the leader, with only two out of seven computer product lines actually PVC and BFR free, what are the rest of these highly rated companies actually doing in practice?
Previously, Apple had complained bitterly that its products are much, much better in terms of toxins and energy usage compared to other electronics makers that promised long and delivered short. Now, Apple’s been recognized for that leadership, but in a really odd, confusing and backhanded way.
A failure to lobby?!?
But, whatever. You’d think that Apple, whose products are currently the best of the best, would be rated the number one electronics company overall. Nope.
In fact, Apple comes in at number five and Philips, whose products apparently are so bad that they don’t even make the top 14 above, comes in ahead of the Mac, iPod and iPhone maker. What’s more, Greenpeace says that the big European electronics maker could have done even better if the company had lobbied “…for phase out of hazardous substance in legislation.”
And, for those of you that just experienced a whisky – tango – foxtrot moment, yes, it’s apparently quite alright to have toxic, energy wasting products, but shame on Philips for not lobbying, which is a brand new criteria in this version of Greenpeace’s guide to greener electronics.
Moreover, you’ve gotta wonder if Greenpeace is considering the addition of other new political criterion, like “made large contributions to powerful Senator’s PAC” or “paid Senator’s spouse huge salary for phantom job,” to its guide to greener electronics? Seriously, if you want to lobby effectively…
What’s your take?
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