Apple Slammed by Greenpeace

By Suzanne Deffree -- Electronic News, 12/6/2006

Greenpeace today updated its “Guide to Greener Electronics” and took aim at Apple Computer for its lack of “green” policies.

“Despite being a leader in innovation and design, Apple has made absolutely no improvements to its policies or practices since the ranking was first released three months ago,” said Rick Hind, legislative director of Greenpeace USA’s Toxics campaign, in a statement. “Apple’s bad green policy is not a wonderful life for workers in the scrap yards of the developing world, and we can’t imagine that Steve Jobs would want to be the Mr. Potter of the high-tech industry this holiday season.”

Greenpeace noted that Apple is an exception and that many companies are following recommendations to eliminate the hazardous chemicals from their products and are adopting progressive recycling policies, such as financing the take-back, reuse or recycling end-of-life products. 

According to the organization, most companies now score above average points on the ranking guide, with only five companies failing to score even the average of five points. No company has yet to receive better than a seven out of 10 rating. The top-ranked brands have committed to eliminate the use of the most hazardous chemicals in their products. Indeed, two manufacturers, Acer and Lenovo, have committed to eliminate the use of the most hazardous chemicals from their products.

While Greenpeace complimented Nokia on continuing to hold the top spot in the ranking for both its chemicals policy as well as disposal of electronic waste, it noted the company has yet to give clear timelines for phasing out polyvinyl chloride (PVC).

Greenpeace also pointed out that Motorola has been the fastest mover in the ranking guide. Although the company was ranked second worst in the first version of the guide, released in September, it has made strong commitments since then and has moved to fourth place. Lenovo has also made strong policy commitments, to jump from the bottom spot up to its current eighth place. Fujitsu-Siemens and Acer made substantial progress and are now ranked third and seventh respectively, moving up from their earlier 10th and 12th positions.

Meanwhile, LGE, Samsug and Sony have lost points for failing to act on their commitments to individual producer responsibility, Greenpeace said. Instead, the companies are supporting regulation in the U.S. that would place the responsibility for product recycling on consumers instead of producers. 

In September 2006, HP lost a point from its overall score when Greenpeace scientists’ analysis of an HP laptop revealed the presence of decaBDE, a type of brominated flame retardant that HP claimed it no longer used. HP responded with an investigation into the matter and has reaffirmed its commitment not to use decaBDE. Greenpeace has since returned the point.

For the full Greenpeace ranking, click here.