“Confidence was high that this was going to happen because we’ve had the word from the man himself – Apple CEO Steve Jobs – from as far back as May 2007 that toxic PVC and BFRs in Mac computers would be history by the end of 2008. His enthusiam for the subject, of course, initially stemmed from the success of our Green my Apple campaign, which generated huge support and discussion from Mac addicts worldwide,” Greenpeace writes. “In October last year he reiterated this promise: Last year we announced the unprecedented goal of eliminating polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and brominated flame retardants (BFRs) from Apple products by the end of 2008. I’m proud to report that all of Apple’s new product designs are on track to meet our 2008 year-end goal. Steve Jobs, October 2008″
“That’s a pretty definitive statement – not much room for misunderstanding there, I’d say. And yet the one new product announced so far at this year’s Macworld, the Macbook Pro, turns out not to meet Mr Jobs’ new greener specification; sure it has reduced amounts of the offending chemicals, but they’ve not been removed altogether. Definitely NOT what Apple promised for 2009,” Greenpeace writes.
Full article here.
MacDailyNews Take: Greenpeace. Completely and shamelessly aboard the Apple publicity train and not getting off any time soon, no matter what.
And now, for the rest of the story:
The new 17-inch MacBook Pro is made of highly recyclable materials, meets stringent energy efficiency standards and is made without many of the harmful toxins found in other computers. Apple uses advanced chemistry, intelligent monitoring of the system and battery, and Adaptive Charging technology to create a revolutionary new notebook battery that delivers up to eight hours of wireless productivity on a single charge and up to 1,000 recharges without adding thickness, weight or cost to the MacBook Pro’s incredible design. The longer battery lifespan equals fewer depleted batteries and less waste, which is better for the environment.
The new 17-inch MacBook Pro joins the aluminum unibody MacBook family in setting new standards for environmentally friendly notebooks with every model achieving EPEAT Gold status. Each MacBook unibody enclosure is made of highly recyclable aluminum and comes standard with energy efficient LED-backlit displays that are mercury-free and made with arsenic-free glass. The new MacBook family meets stringent Energy Star 4.0 requirements, contains no brominated flame retardants and uses internal cables and components that are PVC-free. The battery in the new 17-inch MacBook Pro provides additional environmental benefit because its extended lifespan means fewer depleted batteries resulting in less waste. Depleted batteries can be replaced for $179 which includes installation and disposal of your old battery in an environmentally responsible manner. – Apple Inc.
Direct link via YouTube here.
Has anybody met Greenpeace’s challenge? Are they any computers out there that have no PVC and BFRs? Is anybody as close to eliminating them as Apple is?
Well, if that’s what Jobs promised and did not completely deliver Greenpeace have every right to take notice. The article on Greenpeace’s website looks pretty balanced to me.
as far as i hate to admit it, greenpeace seems to be in the right here. but some perspective regarding the standing of apple in the whole industry woudn’t hurt.
I do not care what a terrorist organization thinks.
F@@k greenpeace!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Fsck Greenpeace. Asshole terrorists.
A report last week has humpback whales doing so well that there is no longer any concern for continued survival and well being. What is Greenpeace to do when their reason for being is extinct? I know, let’s shakedown corporations using specious environmental claims. Greenpeace, and its early supporters can be proud of what was accomplished in saving whales, but Greenpeace today is little more than a bunch of pointless bureaucrats protecting their paychecks through coercion and slander. Go away.
Whatever one thinks of Greenpeace, this is an important topic that should be discussed. I, frankly, do hold Apple to a higher standard because they are industry innovators. What constitutes a “green” product in 2009 is an interesting question.
“Asshole terrorists.”
That sounds very, very scary.
Also explains where they hide the bombs.
And why they are so pissed off!….
Where are they getting their information? From Apple’s press release yesterday on the 17-inch MacBook Pro:
“The new MacBook family meets stringent Energy Star 4.0 requirements, contains no brominated flame retardants and uses internal cables and components that are PVC-free.”
This statement would appear contrary to their claims.
So, does that mean that we should stop licking and chewing our Macs? I guess that means we should not use them as dinner plates in the microwave either.
Have those idiots at Greenpeace said anything about the NEW light bulbs (with toxic metals) that are thrown out every 6 months? That is like looking at a scratch on your bumper after you rear ending a truck!
Green Peace can go Frak off for all I can.
I use to respect them.
I still do.
But this media game they are playing is running thin.
Greenpeace may be correct, but the way they go about reporting things and picking on certain targets but not others has stopped me from paying attention to them.
Green Peace…yet another useless organization doing diddly poop all for anything on the planet. Honestly, the ONLY time that I hear the words ‘Green Peace’ is in relation to a nag on Apple. Isn’t there a whale on a beach somewhere that needs a shove? Really people. Why keep badgering the company making the most ‘green’ headway?
They’re nothing but a bunch of hacks.
At least you guys know the truth about Greenpeace. Even the founder of Greenpeace knows that like most “environmental” organizations, they long ago abandoned science in favor of using FUD as the foundation upon which to build political power.
The most kind word I can use for Greepeace is scoundrels.
Greenpeace’s claims are as bullsh*t as the a-holes here calling them “terrorists” which is unconscionable hyperbole at best. Personally, I don’t remember anyone from Greenpeace killing anyone, cutting off their heads, blowing up children or old ladies etc.
As to their article, it’s not even remotely accurate. It’s like it was written by a teenager or something.
The whole article is based off of this statement in the second paragraph: “… the word from the man himself – Apple CEO Steve Jobs – from as far back as May 2007 that toxic PVC and BFRs in Mac computers would be history by the end of 2008.” This is just a blatant falsehood, contradicted by the actual quote from Steve in the very next paragraph: “… Last year we announced the unprecedented GOAL of eliminating polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and brominated flame retardants (BFRs) from Apple products by the end of 2008.”
I capitalised the word “goal” because that’s the operative part. All Apple and Steve Jobs has said, is that they:
– will remove all toxic materials
– the goal is to do it this (last) year
– they are (were) on track to achieve that goal in October.
There is no, and never was any, “promise” from Apple to remove all toxic materials by the end of calendar 2008. The facts are right there contained in the quotes that this idiot built his article on. If you wrote this in journalism class at my University, you’d get a failing grade.
I love what Greenpeace is supposed to stand.
I hate Greenpeace because they will throw out any shred of ethics or decency to get in the news whether what they are saying is fact or fiction. The number of times they have deliberately distorted the truth makes their credibility just above Madoff’s.
Here is the link to their email. Dump on these boys.
info@uk.greenpeace.org
Mmm. First time I’ve checked out this website for Mac news. Given the ridiculous adolescent and/or redneck tone, it may be the last. Perhaps this is some kind of trolling thing just on this article. I’ll check out the rest of the site before leaving you silly boys to your toys.
Green Peace and shyster lawyers trying to milk Apple with class action law suites have the same agenda…….nuisance payoffs
“…Greenpeace’s claims are as bullsh*t as the a-holes here calling them “terrorists” which is unconscionable hyperbole at best…”
I see them as no different than any other terrorist organization. They are a bunch of delusional zealots determined to force their delusions upon the rest of the world through any means necessary. In the past their terrorist actions have included the willful destruction of property and endangerment of human life.
The organization should honestly be outlawed.
There you have it. MAC stumbles and falls. Again. If it isn’t the non-user replaceable batteries, unjustified expense or the inability to use Zune points at the I-Tunes store it will certainly be something else.
Aren’t you MAC lemmings tired of MAC’s continued failures? Vista on a Dell doesn’t look so bad now, does it?
I’m a PC.
Your potential. Our passion.™
@Jeremy:
You fail to grasp that there are different forms of terrorism. Not all terrorist kill peopple, cut their heads off, or even blowing up people. But, there are environmental terrorists out there as well. A good example of that is Greenpeace. There are others like the tree-sitters in UC Berkeley. Let’s not forget PETA fanatics.
“Mac fans in our office (and there are more than a few) were getting excited yesterday – we were expecting an announcement from MacWorld 2009 in San Francisco, confirming that Apple would as promised be removing all toxic PVC plastic and brominated flame retardants (BFRs) from its entire new product range,” Greenpeace writes.
Clearly they can’t read what they’re saying. I believe every computer apple has announced recently has been BFR and PVC free. Obviously computers that were designed before the 2008 statement aren’t going to have this stuff removed. But then, they aren’t new products. Don’t be surprised when the new mini and iMac and eventually Mac Pro are announced to see that they all meet the same guidelines……