Apple is on a big, green tear lately, and like another jade-skinned giant, you better not make them angry — because you won’t like them when they’re angry. Case in point, Apple has joined the “we’re resigning from the US Chamber of Commerce” parade. Said Catherine A. Novelli, VP of worldwide government affairs:
“We strongly object to the chamber’s recent comments opposing the E.P.A.’s effort to limit greenhouse gases. [...] Apple supports regulating greenhouse gas emissions, and it is frustrating to find the chamber at odds with us in this effort.”
Read the full letter [PDF link]
[New York Times via Daring Fireball]
Apple has set up a new, environment-focused section of their website, which covers their full product range and life-cycle — including TiPb’s titular iPhone [PDF link].
Give it a look and let us know how you think Apple’s doing.
[Thanks everyone who sent this in!]
When Apple began their recall program for the iPhone 3G AC adapters, some noted that the massive packaging the new adapters were sent in seemed to be running in stark opposition to Apple’s newly stated “greener” goals.
Ginormous would be one word for them. Wasteful, another.
Could things have changed however? While we received three of the huge boxes only a couple of weeks ago, this week we received two much smaller padded envelopes instead. Did Apple and/or their shipping company respond to the concerns, or just realize how insane the previous packaging was?
Anybody else getting the newer, slimmed-down packaging? Anyone still getting the huge boxes?
Because of Apple’s high media profile, Greenpeace likes to have a little fun with them. Nothing gets headlines like bashing Apple in the tech industry, especially if you’re hippie enough to make Steve Jobs seem more like Stephen Colbert. With Al Gore on their board, however, it’s probably safe to say Apple has to at least appear to be one of the more — if not most — environmentally friendly major tech company in the US. Case in point, and unprecedented second open letter from Steve Jobs:
For the past several years, Apple has made a concerted effort to be more transparent about the steps we are taking to protect the environment and make our business more sustainable. In this environmental update, I’d like to inform you of our recent progress and introduce you to a groundbreaking system of reporting that we believe is unmatched in our industry.
The iPhone got a brief mention as well:
More recently we introduced our first BFR and PVC-free iPods and iPhone 3G with mercury-free displays.
Sounds okay? Second steppish enough at least? Not quite for Greenpeace:
Not quite the breakthrough we were hoping for.
Ouch. Though, to be less sensationalistic, they did have lots of positive feedback as well.
Hopefully Apple will make true on their timeline, and other manufacturers will follow suit.
It’s not easy being green, but I don’t think any of us want to live on the earth from Wall-E, do we?
