Switched has a new home! Huffpost Tech.

Click here to visit the new home of Switched!

Hot on HuffPost Tech:

See More Stories
AOL Tech

Apple Getting Greener

by Tim Stevens on May 3, 2007 at 09:58 AM

Steve Jobs Apple

As we mentioned a few weeks ago in our round-up of the least earth-friendly technologies, Greenpeace has some issues with Apple. It seems it really digs the Apple design aesthetic but can't stand the associated pollution. It launched www.greenmyapple.org, a site dedicated to encouraging Apple to clean up its ways -- and CEO Steve Jobs is listening. In an entry on Apple's news site called "A Greener Apple" he outlines specific points and plans to deal with a variety of toxic chemicals used in Mac computer and iPod production.

For example, arsenic is often used to create glass used in LCD displays, but Steve pledges that Apple will switch completely to arsenic-free LCDs by 2008. He notes that Apple is already lead-free (thanks to switching to LCD displays from CRTs years ago) and plans to be PVC-free by the end of next year.

It seems, though, that Apple is making improvements only where it makes financial sense to do so. Mercury is also used in some LCD production, and Steve only pledges to switch to newer, lead-free LCD production for all Apple products "when technically and economically feasible." Additionally, while Apple will recycle any iPod you return to a Mac Store at no charge (even offering a 10% discount on a replacement), you have to buy new Apple products through their store to get the service.

So, will Greenpeace accept this move forward and go back to unconditionally loving the different computer manufacturer, or will it keep pushing Apple to address the shortcomings of its environmental plans? You can be sure Greenpeace will issue a response either way in the very near future.

From MacSlash

Related Links:

Tags: Apple, iPod, Recycle

Add your comments

Please keep your comments relevant to this blog entry. Email addresses are never displayed, but they are required to confirm your comments.

When you enter your name and email address, you'll be sent a link to confirm your comment, and a password. To leave another comment, just use that password.

To create a live link, simply type the URL (including http://) or email address and we will make it a live link for you. You can put up to 3 URLs in your comments. Line breaks and paragraphs are automatically converted — no need to use <p> or <br /> tags.

HuffPost AOL Social News Most Popular