Apple responds to Greenpeace: what part of "end of 2008" didn't you understand?

Yesterday's battle between Greenpeace and Apple had the former publicly chastising the latter for its continued use of hazardous chemicals in its iPhone. While they conceded that Apple is compliant with Europe's RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) standard, they lambasted Cupertino for its continued use of PVC and brominated flame retardants (BFRs) which, according to Greenpeace, "suggests that Apple is not making early progress towards its 2008 commitment to phase-out all uses of these materials." This morning, an Apple spokesperson told Macworld that, "Like all Apple products worldwide, iPhone complies with RoHS, the world's toughest restrictions on toxic substances in electronics. As we have said, Apple will voluntarily eliminate the use of PVC and BFRs by the end of 2008." Sure, you can fault Apple for not being as environmentally friendly as PVC-free Nokia, or Motorola and Sony Ericsson who offer some devices with BFR-free components. However, Greenpeace shouldn't feign surprise at what they found.

[Matt @ Oct 16th 2007 4:25AM]

green peace.

good with the plannet, not too good with the listening.

[LordFarkward @ Oct 16th 2007 4:28AM]

sounds like the frustration implied by the "what part of "end of 2008" didn't you understand?" didn't come from apple but from thomas...

*shrugs*

i know, i know, you

[Jon @ Oct 16th 2007 5:06AM]

But Thomas works for Apple. Right?

[LordFarkward @ Oct 16th 2007 4:30AM]

hmmm... the 'heart' didn't come up. probably something to do with the codes.

just saying i know u heart apple, that's all ;)

[michas_pi @ Oct 16th 2007 4:39AM]

Owned.

[Tom Boucher @ Oct 16th 2007 4:56AM]

Greenpeace used to be good for the planet, now they're just bullying corporations for bad press since the public has become aware of the environmental issues and they want to increase membership and money collected.

[jessy @ Oct 16th 2007 5:18AM]

enviromental issues like global warming? lol

[Pablo @ Oct 16th 2007 7:31AM]

I used to admire green pace, but now I think that some times they chose the "targets" more for the media impact than for the environment impact of the products!

[Kizorblade @ Oct 16th 2007 5:47AM]

Greenpeace - Get some translators, you guys clearly have little to no grasp of the English language. Or you can't count for that matter.

"2007 or 2008? Who cares? They're the same!"

[ByeLaw @ Oct 16th 2007 6:23AM]

Considering the fact that Apple are trying to offer "BFR-free components" by the end of next year, why are they now introducing new products which contain BFR now?

I think the issue here is that they have been pulled up for using BFRs and seem to be doing nothing about it.

[jimbo @ Oct 16th 2007 5:48AM]

...add what's up with the white leather looking gloves? Seems to me they're not too safe for handling "hazardous" materials.

[Argot @ Oct 16th 2007 6:27AM]

This is just pathetic on Apples part. Just clean up your act!

[Dale @ Oct 16th 2007 10:09AM]

I agree with you, Apple need to clean up their act, but so does every other consumer electronics manufacturer in the world.

As others have said, Greenpeace are targetting Apple above the others because their iPod devices are so ubiquitous - it's the quickest way to get the media attention. Not that media attention for important causes is a bad thing, but Greenpeace could apply a more even-handed approach.

[Rich @ Oct 16th 2007 6:56AM]

I wonder how many people will whine when Apple brings out the iPhone v2 with greener components and makes their iPhone v1 'obsolete'.

[David @ Oct 16th 2007 2:47PM]

I built an engineering project out of PVC yesterday.. I hope I don't die.. I touched it :(

[CUBSWILLWIN @ Oct 16th 2007 4:45PM]

oh greanpeace...

[DBL @ Oct 16th 2007 6:02PM]

So after judging Apple by comparing them to industry claims (instead of what the rest of the industry is actually doing right now), thereby forcing Apple to make claims of its own, suddenly Greenpeace doesn't care about claims and timetables and despite praising Apple's decisions they've now decided to completely ignore them.

Greenpeace should hold a seminar in how to blow your credibility and teach everyone not to take you seriously.

[Hollywood Ron @ Oct 16th 2007 9:19PM]

People took Greenpeace seriously?

[Jeff Foster @ Oct 16th 2007 7:00PM]

Seems like the only way Greenpeace ever gets any love from the press is when they go after Apple.