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 said 10:11AM on 10-15-2007
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.
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netman2670 said 10:21AM on 10-15-2007
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.
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rose said 8:34AM on 10-17-2007
I am sure it takes time to become greener and the iphone has been on the boards for how long?
Greenpeace sucks. The person who runs it no doubts gets a humongus paycheck to spout trash.
Hmm.. I need that gig. What does greenpeace use? paper or computers? computers no doubt and I bet they don't even think of what is coming out of theirs.
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Keith said 10:47AM on 10-15-2007
This brought to you by the same organization that wants people to eat more Kangaroos instead of cows to combat global warming.
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Rob The Wize said 10:51AM on 10-15-2007
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
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Evelyn said 10:58AM on 10-15-2007
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!
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courtney300 said 11:13AM on 10-15-2007
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.
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hilarie said 11:12AM on 10-15-2007
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!
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wreck-0 said 11:16AM on 10-15-2007
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.
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don cross said 11:23AM on 10-15-2007
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).
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kermit230 said 11:29AM on 10-15-2007
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.
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kermit230 said 11:37AM on 10-15-2007
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!
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Ed said 11:39AM on 10-15-2007
Of COURSE they lied. Thats what big corporations do. Duh!
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Jay said 11:42AM on 10-15-2007
Sound and fury, folks. Sound and fury.
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G.T said 2:37AM on 10-22-2007
I totally agree with GreenPeace, and with some of the comments posted, we need to grow more concious, its like garbage, nobody is saying dont consume products because they come in containers and its bad for the environment, Greenpeace only says insted of throwing it into the garbage can throw it into the recycling can, same thing with cell phones, buy a cell phone but one that doesnt have toxics, if other companies have in stores cell phones that dont have toxic cell phones like Apple why cant Apple do the same?
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piddle said 12:08PM on 10-15-2007
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!"
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JIM said 8:22PM on 10-15-2007
GREENPEACE IS A PAIN IN THE ASS. THOSE PEOPLE SHOULD GET A HONEST JOB AND LET MOTHER EARTH TAKE CARE OF HERSELF. SHE HAS DONE A VERY GOOD JOB OF IT IN THE LAST 4 BILLION YEARS WITH OUT GREENPEACE. A BUNCH OF PIN HEADS
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AlisonB0311 said 12:00PM on 10-15-2007
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...
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Dr. Tom said 12:03PM on 10-15-2007
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)
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Daniel Denholm said 12:05PM on 10-15-2007
I always knew apple was evil...maybe thats why their computers suck so bad....
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