Greenpeace, Apple

Greenpeace activists say Apple could be preparing to clean up its manufacturing process, which the group says contains hazardous substances. Apple came under fire on several occasions in recent months from the environmental organization, which placed the Cupertino-based company in last place with regard to environmental issues in early December of 2006 after the Mac-maker scored extremely low on a Greenpeace environmental report card detailing the use of toxic chemicals. Greenpeace has claimed that Apple CEO Steve Jobs recently met with a Social Responsibility Fund investor to discuss Apple's environmental record, according to Macworld UK, but Apple aptly denies this claim.

According to Greenpeace, an Apple spokesperson told the organization that "we are sticking to our strategy, but we don't rule out that at some moment our strategy will synchronize with what Greenpeace wants."

Apple responded, however, saying it never made any such statement.

"We disagree with Greenpeace's rating and the criteria they chose. Apple has a strong environmental track record and has led the industry in restricting and banning toxic substances such as mercury, cadmium and hexavalent chromium, as well as many BFRs (brominated flame retardants)," Apple wrote.

"We have also completely eliminated CRT monitors, which contain lead, from our product line. Apple desktops, notebooks and displays each score best-in-class in the new EPA ranking system EPEAT, which uses international standards set by the IEEE."

by MacNN Staff