“Chinese environmental groups accused Apple Inc. of turning a blind eye as its suppliers pollute the country, the latest criticism of the technology company’s environmental record,” Michael Martina reports for Reuters.
“Toxic discharges from ‘suspected Apple suppliers’ have been encroaching on local communities and environments, a coalition of environmental organisations said on Wednesday in a 46-page report alleging efforts to conceal pollution,” Martina reports. “Widespread environmental degradation has accompanied China’s breakneck economic growth, and the government has been criticized for failing to take steps to curb pollution.”
“The report alleges that 27 suspected Apple suppliers had severe pollution problems, from toxic gases to heavy metal sludge. In one case, the report said, a nearby village experienced a ‘phenomenal rise in cases of cancer,'” Martina reports. “Apple has decided to ‘take advantage of loopholes’ in developing countries’ environmental management systems to ‘grab super profits,’ it said. Apple does not disclose who its suppliers are. The environmental groups said public documents and five months of research and field investigation led to the findings in the report.”
Read more in the full article here.
MacDailyNews Note: Find out about Apple and the Environment here. Find out more about Supplier Responsibility at Apple here.
[Thanks to MacDailyNews Reader “Sarah” for the heads up.]