iPhone Bad For Environment, Says Greenpeace
Back in May, Apple head Steve Jobs pledged that his company would become greener and that it would out-pace the competition when it came to removing toxic chemicals from the production of its devices. This was largely seen as a response to a Greenpeace-led campaign, which exposed the environmentally harmful nasties used in the production of Apple products and which named Apple one of the top environmental offenders. Now, Greenpeace is at it again, calling Apple out for taking a step backwards when it comes to the toxic chemicals found in the iPhone.
The environmental group got its hands on one of Apple's new handsets and took it apart, analyzing the various bits and pieces inside and finding a number of toxic chemicals present. These include Bromine, a toxin used as a flame retardant, and Phthalates, a plastic softener banned in European toys thanks to its apparent impact on hormone levels in children. Greenpeace also knocks the phone's overall design, taking particular issue with the soldered-in battery, which is hard to replace and difficult to remove when it comes time to recycle the phone.
Greenpeace claims that, "Apple is far from leading the way for a green electronics industry as competitors, like Nokia, already sell mobile phones free of PVC." Based on these findings it's hard to doubt that Apple took a bit of a step back from its green initiative to get the iPhone out the door. The question is, will the company respond to this Greenpeace challenge like it did the last?
For now, see how Apple's environmental policies stack up to other tech manufacturers such as Dell, Samsung and Sony.
From Greenpeace
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 5)
Ken @ Oct 15th 2007 10:11AM
For the love of God, what sane person cares what Greenpeace says about anything?
If Greenpeace had it's way, we'd all be living in grass huts eating roots and berries and picking nits out of each other's hair.
Except of course, the grass, roots, berries and nits all have a right to live unmolested by us dirty humans so if we REALLY care about the environment, we should all just vanish in a puff of genie smoke. (Environmentally safe non-toxic genie smoke!)
The media needs to stop giving these idiots so much press and spend a little time talking about real issues, like what an overhyped ripoff the Iphone is.
netman2670 @ Oct 15th 2007 10:21AM
So how many toxic chemicals are there in this computer you're reading this on? You don't seem worried enough to not have one of those. It's not the chemicals. It's how we dispose of them.
Keith @ Oct 15th 2007 10:47AM
This brought to you by the same organization that wants people to eat more Kangaroos instead of cows to combat global warming.
Rob The Wize @ Oct 15th 2007 10:51AM
Environmentalism isn't about having everyone revert to living in a F*ing cave. It's about merging technology and the environment so we can benefit from both
Evelyn @ Oct 15th 2007 10:58AM
And I quote....."If Greenpeace had it's way, we'd all be living in grass huts eating roots and berries and picking nits out of each other's hair.
Except of course, the grass, roots, berries and nits all have a right to live unmolested by us dirty humans so if we REALLY care about the environment, we should all just vanish in a puff of genie smoke. (Environmentally safe non-toxic genie smoke!)"
The comments above were put online by someone named "Ken". He apparently hasn't realized yet that we will vanish in a puff of genie smoke because we are a nasty, mean and dirty species that thinks we can go on like this forever. WE CAN'T, AND WE WON'T! Our own demise is much closer than the likes of Ken wants to acknoweldge or fails to understand. Probably a little of both.
Finally, Ken, if you don't like the ripoff by Apple and its phone, why not get rid of it? Better yet, why buy the damned thing in the first place!
hilarie @ Oct 15th 2007 11:12AM
Why buy an I Phone? Because it's the most kick-ass phone EVER!!! The way I see it, I'll be dead in 50 yrs. so I may as well have fun with my phone now. Greenpeace should spend their time worring about bigger issues, like carbon emissions in China and Russia, and leave us harmless Apple lovers alone!
courtney300 @ Oct 15th 2007 11:13AM
Thank goodness that someone is standing up to corporate America. Greenpeace is not saying don't buy the new technology, they are just trying to make sure you know what is in your products. This way we can become knowledgeable buyers.
wreck-0 @ Oct 15th 2007 11:16AM
who gives a $hit. Greenpeace is a coalition of wheat grass drinking, hemp wearing, bicycle riding, vegetarian hippys. We need to make an island and send all these hippys there. We will make sure to have plenty of trees on the island for you retards to sleep in.
don cross @ Oct 15th 2007 11:23AM
Green peace needs to pick its fights more carefully, if it wants to be considered a serious defender of the environment. Bad mouthing iphones, which is considered a necessity for a lot of people is like demanding that Al Gore stop flying around in his personal jets and live in just one house. iphone users are not going to give up their iphone, and Al is not going to give up his elite lifestyle, especially for the environment (whatever that is).
kermit230 @ Oct 15th 2007 11:29AM
who cares. green peace is retarded. For the little amount of trouble these devices cause, and for what they're capable of doing. Whatever. If Green peace wants to be so lame, they can go move to Amish country.
kermit230 @ Oct 15th 2007 11:37AM
Of course we are destined to perish. It's in our nature to self destruct. And when we do, the Earth will go on, and other creatures will evolve, and everything will be rejuvinated. It's such a joke to think that humans can "heal the world." Granted we can be careful about how we treat our environment for future generations, but thinking you can save the Earth is just a flat out joke. The Earth is a vicious, tumultuous place where anything can happen at any time, hence natural disasters. This is the way the Earth cleanses itself. And as for Global Warming, HA! It's a freaking joke. All it would take is 1 large scale volcanic eruption, or one meteorite/comet collision and welcome back to the Ice Age. It's bound to happen. Most likely after we've all killed ourselves anyway. But life will go on, as it always has in the past. Just not in human form.
>>>>The comments above were put online by someone named "Ken". He apparently hasn't realized yet that we will vanish in a puff of genie smoke because we are a nasty, mean and dirty species that thinks we can go on like this forever. WE CAN'T, AND WE WON'T! Our own demise is much closer than the likes of Ken wants to acknoweldge or fails to understand. Probably a little of both.
Finally, Ken, if you don't like the ripoff by Apple and its phone, why not get rid of it? Better yet, why buy the damned thing in the first place!
Ed @ Oct 15th 2007 11:39AM
Of COURSE they lied. Thats what big corporations do. Duh!
Jay @ Oct 15th 2007 11:42AM
Sound and fury, folks. Sound and fury.
AlisonB0311 @ Oct 15th 2007 12:00PM
Just like average americans. Your closed mind comments show really how much you know about the groups and companies in america. maybe you guys should try to open your mind and do some research or watch cnn or something before posting comments again...
Dr. Tom @ Oct 15th 2007 12:03PM
I'm sure that the number of ecology-minded, Greenpeace donors who will now refuse to buy any Apple product will significantly impact their corporate earnings. (pause for laughter)
Daniel Denholm @ Oct 15th 2007 12:05PM
I always knew apple was evil...maybe thats why their computers suck so bad....
Fran @ Oct 15th 2007 12:06PM
Timeline! Timeline! Timeline! In total agreement with the poster who said enuf is enuf with greenpeace, they are throw backs of all of humanity, but getting on with it and then to work, apparently those who read this article have little comprehension, thus the polls are way off. Apple said "will become" not "we are" greener. Now I'm off to make my own green, wearing rubber soled shoes and driving a carbon/fossil fueled transporter that helps me contribute to the global economy...the same globe that tolerates the likes of green peace.
Budo @ Oct 15th 2007 12:06PM
WOW!!! A kick ass phone---such a life!!! What a generation--all you see are people walking and driving with phones to their ears and NO time to themselves or peace of mind. Just talk, talk, talk!! Let's all waste 50 years with our wonderful phone. What ever happened to sports, getting out and actually DOING SOMETHING, caring what we look like in a mirror and living life in general. Man, lost generation is not even the words for it. Decay from within are truly the words to discribe it. SOme folks have said it here quite eloquently--who cares about a stupid phone!!!?? If we keep going like we are we woun't have to worry about the thing because there will be no people to talk to. GET LIVES!!!
piddle @ Oct 15th 2007 12:08PM
The masses will never be able to comprehend serious issues until it's too late to do anything to fix the damage. People are selfish apes who live only for their own selfish desires, regardless of the harm they do. I say, forget Greenpeace - it's not making a difference anyway since you can't try to reason with lesser monkeys. Let these apes destroy their world. When they're living in their own toxic waste, breathing toxic air (already happening) and running out of clean food and water, probably rotting away from STD's because they can't stick to one partner, maybe they'll finally get it. Then again, they'd probably just blame it on someone else.
I admire Greenpeace for their efforts, but I doubt it'll do any good. The masses are too god damn dense to understand anything but "I want!"
Warren Higgins @ Oct 15th 2007 12:27PM
It may be that those who feel Greenpeace is "extreme" in what they do, in regards to the iphone and beyond, are in a denial state of what changes truly need to take place on this planet for healthy living. Yes, it's much easier to criticize Greenpeace than it is to truly listen to and understand its very deep and valid concerns. "Ignorance is bliss", right?