According to Greenpeace, “Sometimes companies need to be reminded of their environmental commitments–like HP’s 2007 promise to stop putting toxic chemicals in their computer products. That’s why our activists climbed to the top of HP’s global headquarters in Palo Alto California today, and William Shatner (yes, Captain James T. Kirk) recorded a special voice message for all the staff in the building.”
Greenpeace’s website proclaims:
We painted a huge message “Hazardous Products” onto the roof of the Hewlett-Packard building (the paint was toxic-free). Meanwhile a voice mail from actor William Shatner was delivered to all the phones in the building with an automated system.
HP was being called-out for backtracking on its commitments to phase out toxic chemicals from its products by the end of this year. It cost them a penalty point in our Guide to Greener Electronics last month, along with Dell and Lenovo. So to get them back onto the straight and narrow, we’re delivering reminders to the company at their buildings, in the press and online.
Today’s action follows similar demonstrations at HP offices in China and the Netherlands highlighting the continued presence of toxic chemicals in its products.
Earlier this year, HP postponed its 2007 commitment to phase out dangerous substances such as brominated flame retardants (BFR) and PVC (polyvinyl chloride) plastic from their computer products (excluding their server and printer lines) from 2009 to 2011.
It’s shameful that HP is continuing to put hazardous products on the market, despite the promises it made. It should be following the lead of companies like Apple, which has led the sector in phasing out these toxic chemicals.
Apple’s new computer lines, virtually free of PVC and completely BFR-free, demonstrate the technical feasibility and supply-chain readiness of producing alternatives to these hazardous substances. Dell, Lenovo and Acer have also stayed ahead of HP, putting models on the market that are free of, or at least significantly reduced in their use of, PVC and BFRs.
So it can be done, other companies are moving much faster that the world’s number one seller of PCs. If HP wants to remain a market leader and not just another purveyor of harmful products, it needs to get back on track and eliminate BFRs and PVC from its products by the end of this year, as promised.
Full article, including William Shatner’s message to HP, here.
MacDailyNews Take: The militant kooks at Greenpeace never fail to at least partially hop onto Apple’s coattails for some free PR. They lost sight of their original mission so long ago, it’s a miracle they can even remember to use the word “environment” in their self-promotional propaganda. They’ve obviously also never heard of the words “criminal trespass and vandalism.” HP needs to fire those responsible for building “security.” And William Shatner should know better: Vi estis manipulita.
Well, nice to get back to this Party
And see it’s still going
Good Work Folks
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Quite a diverse range of thoughts and arguments
Presented, mostly, in a civil and lucid fashion
And isn’t THAT the point of this exercise ? (so to speak)
Here we are from all over The World
Discussing a Subject with Foundations deep in our Common History
(and not talking about Greenpeace or HP or Paint)
Talking about Legal vs Illegal – Right vs Wrong – Good vs Bad
Complicated Ethical Concepts worthy of a University Philosophy Class
Or Sunday School (depending on your proclivities
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Has anyone here changed their mind about anything ?
Maybe, maybe not – doesn’t really matter
What matters is the Exchange of Ideas – The Process of Examination – The Forum
And we’re doing it (or at least working at it, smile) as Adults engaged in Open Democracy
Day In/Out – Sharing Conversation (or at least working at it, smile) beyond Bumper Sticker Graffiti
(No Dude, you’re wrong – Mac’s Rule and PC’s Drool)
MDN, doing fine, give plenty, ty, and love it when you “take” some too, Your Party
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And when we all talk about Macintosh, The Gestalt of Apple – or even the News of The Day
There’s a lot more going on than just a Computer as we Think Different™
BC
My, my, what a reactionary right wing bunch you are… I wonder whether those of you who “hate” Greenpeace take any mind of how much garbage you produce, how much gas you burn, how much electricity you use… I shouldn’t imagine you do.
Lets consider the issue here. PVC is highly toxic. Apple have virtually phased it out. HP promised to do so. But HP have reneged on their promise. Who, if not Greenpeace, will call them to account?
Do you like poisoning yourselves and your environment?
Considering how much freedom you have vis-a-vis many peoples of the world, you are remarkably irresponsible.
America: don’t read, don’t listen, don’t know, don’t vote, don’t care… Shame. If you did you would realise that Madame Karma has already arrived in the USA… A painful correction is under way in case you hadn’t noticed…
William Shatner aka Captain Kirk? What happen you people stop watching TV. Obviously it is a Danny Crane on mad cow disease imperrsonation. I mean come on think about it, didn’t Danny Crane represent the scum of the earth in Boston Legal? Talk about living a role. Way to go, be a spokesman for real scum. What an actor.
Terrorists? Vandals? Criminals? Over a bit of wash-off paint? Get real guys.
The extreme nature of the comments on this subject have been a real eye-opener for me. You Americans have, I believe, had some experience of real terrorism, vandalism and criminality- and it wasn’t anything to do with Greenpeace.
Get your priorities in order eh?
@byronic
I despise how people like you make it seem that America took what it has at the tip of a sword or the end of a gun barrel. To be sure, America did not get where it is today through force or coercion, which is more than can be said for most of the old European powers. Has America screwed up? Hell yes it has. Has America been a bully? Of course, and on more than one occasion. But in general, America has earned it’s place in the world. Why should She be ashamed of this? Because of some misguided sense that everyone in the world must be equal, that one country cannot have it better than another? That is an idea tinged with envy, espoused by those who’ve come in second place (or worse).
Don’t get me wrong, I agree that Americans are too wasteful, that a lifestyle change is needed, and may be on the verge of happening. But don’t tell me America should be ashamed of Her place in the world, Her wealth, or Her power; because those things were earned, not taken.
MrMcLargeHuge
There’s truth in what you say, but perhaps some Greater Truths you’ve missed ?
Imagine are a lot of Indians (Native Am, to be pc), Slaves in South, Euro Immigrant “de facto slaves” in North, and Miscellaneous Banana Republic Latinos who would beg to differ about “force and coercion.”
But in general, due to our “Unique and Innovative Operating System” (like that one? smile) we’ve been fairly quick to respond (relative to other Systems throughout History) and make adjustments that have allowed us to achieve our “place in the world.”
Yes, many of us have been waiting since the 60’s – many much longer – to see this USA “lifestyle change” that damn sure finally better be on the “verge of happening.” If not, then USA may end up the Microsoft of the World with head up ass, but so rich and powerful can get away with it, least for a Season.
Did USA reach our “place in the World” because it was “earned, not taken” ?
Maybe, maybe not. Might just been Dumb Luck.
But this much is True – and somewhere in one of the “Operating System Manuals”
“For those who have much, much is expected”
And don’t think that’s talking about just money
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BC
@BC Kelly
I agree with most everything you’ve said, especially concerning Native Americans (being descended from a couple myself). And while luck may have certainly played a role, I don’t think we can attribute ALL of America’s successes to dumb luck. Other than that minor qualm, I think we’re on the same page here.
PS: Nice pun with the “Unique and Innovative Operating System”
MrMc
LIked that “OS” thing, eh ?
ty, never met a Metaphor I didn’t like
Speaking of which …
How do we define America’s “success” ?
Microsoft ?
Or Apple ?
Give ya 2 guesses
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BC