Apple Inc.
Contents |
[edit] Environmental | CSR Reports
Apple's supplier responsibility report
Environmental section of Apple's website
A greener Apple, by Steve Jobs
CSR report for Apple by SOMO in 2007
[edit] Recent News
Apple’s shareholders meeting Feb. 25, 2010 the computer giant shot down two shareholder proposals related to sustainability management and reporting, reports PC World. Environmental leader article
- Apple conducted onsite audits of 102 suppliers in 2009 but more than half said they had never been audited by a company.
- Apple also noted that it has reduced the number of 747 cargo flights needed each year, and it leads in recycling, reducing toxins, smaller packaging, and workers’ rights, reports PC World.
- As an example, Apple’s Macbook Pro is made of highly recyclable aluminum and glass, and contains no hazardous chemicals, like arsenic, BFR, mercury, and PVC.
- Apple also has reduced the packaging of its 13-inch Macbooks by 40 percent between 2006 and 2009, which translates into 50 percent more boxes per airline shipping container.
[edit] Environmental record
Greenpeace, an environmentalist organization, has confronted Apple on various environmental issues, including promoting a global end-of-life take-back plan, non-recyclable hardware components, and toxins within the iPhone hardware. ABC News: Is the iPhone Toxic? Greenpeace Says So. ABC News. Retrieved August 12, 2008 Since 2003 they have campaigned against Apple regarding their chemical policies, in particular the inclusion of polyvinyl chloride|PVC and brominated flame retardant|BFRs in their products, both of which have serious negative health effects. iTox + iWaste. Retrieved August 12, 2008. On May 2, 2007, Steve Jobs released a report announcing plans to eliminate PVC and BFRs by the end of 2008. Apple – A Greener Apple. Retrieved August 12, 2008Tasty news from Apple!. Greenpeace International. Retrieved August 12, 2008.
Greenpeace runs a "Guide to Greener Electronics", which rates companies on chemical-disposal waste-reduction practices. In the first edition, released in August 2006, Apple scored 2.7/10.How the companies line up. Greenpeace International. Retrieved August 12, 2008. In subsequent editions Apple's score has improved steadily.How the companies line up: 2nd Edition. Greenpeace International. Retrieved August 12, 2008.How the companies line up: 3rd Edition. Greenpeace International. Retrieved August 12, 2008.How the companies line up: 4th Edition Greenpeace International. Retrieved August 12, 2008.How the companies line up: 6th Edition Greenpeace International. Retrieved August 12, 2008. Apple soon improved its score to a 4.1/10, placing it in the 45 percentile among 17 other electronic companies and 10th in the rankings.Company scores plummet in Greener Electronics Guide Greenpeace USA.
At the 2007 Macworld Expo, Greenpeace presented a critique of Apple. Rick Hind, the legislative director of Greenpeace's toxics campaign, said, "(The company) is getting greener, but not green enough." Hind commented further, "The Macbook Air has less toxic PVC plastic and less toxic BFRs, but it could have zero and that would make Apple an eco-leader." Apple's 'Green' Notebook Doesn't Impress Environmentalists. Wired (magazine)|Wired. Retrieved August 12, 2008.
In May 2008, Climate Counts, a nonprofit organization dedicated to directing consumers toward the greenest companies, gave Apple 11 points out of a possible 100, which placed the company last among electronics companies. Climate Counts also labeled Apple with a "stuck icon," and the environmental group added that Apple was "a choice to avoid for the climate conscious consumer."Environmental Group Hits Apple
The United States Environmental Protection Agency|Environmental Protection Agency rates Apple highest amongst producers of notebook computers, and fairly well compared to producers of desktop computers and LCD displays.EPA Gives Apple Silver Rating on Environment The Mac Observer. EPA information should make GreenPeace red-faced over Apple targeting, Ars Technica. Retrieved on January 8, 2007.
In June 2007, Apple upgraded the MacBook Pro, replacing cold cathode fluorescent lamp (CCFL) backlit LCD displays with mercury (element)|mercury-free LED backlit LCD displays and arsenic-free glass, [1] and has since done this for all notebooks. Apple has also phased out BFRs and PVCs from various internal components. Mac — Green Notebooks|date=2008|publisher=Apple Inc.|accessdate=December 24, 2008Apple: MacBook Pro Graphics. Retrieved on June 8, 2007. Apple also offers detailed information about the emissions, materials, and electrical usage of each product. [http://www.apple.com/environment/resources/environmentalperformance.html%7Ctitle=Apple  Apple has also begun to advertise how environmentally friendly their new laptops are with television spots and magazine ads along with stating these facts on their website.
In June 2009, Apple's iPhone 3GS was free of PVC, arsenic, BFR's and had an efficient power adapter.
In October 2009, Apple upgraded the iMac and MacBook, replacing the cold cathode fluorescent lamp (CCFL) backlit LCD displays with mercury-free LED backlit LCD displays and arsenic-free glass. iMac and the Environment This means all Apple computers have mercury free LED backlit displays, arsenic-free glass and are without PVC cables. All Apple computers also have EPEAT Gold status.
[edit] Labor practices
In 2006, the Mail on Sunday alleged that sweatshop conditions existed in factories in China, where the contract manufacturers, Foxconn and Inventec operate the factories that produce the iPod.The Start Reality of iPod's Chinese Factories
The article stated that one iPod factory, for instance, had over 200,000 workers that lived and worked in the factory, with workers regularly doing more than 60 hours of labor per week. The article also reported that workers made around $100 per month were required to live on the premises and pay for rent and food from the company. Living expenses (required to keep the job) generally took up a little over half of the worker's earnings. The article also said that workers were given buckets to wash their clothes.Sweatshop Conditions at IPod Factory Reported Judging Apple Sweatshop Charge The Forbidden City of Terry Gou
Immediately after the allegations, Apple launched a full investigation and worked with their manufacturers to ensure that conditions were acceptable to Apple.Apple, IT and the Specter of Sweatshop Labor
[edit] Criticism
Apple has been criticized from both user and developer perspectives over disabling Google Voice from their online store for iPhone,http://www.techcrunch.com/2009/07/31/fcc-takes-on-apple-and-att-over-google-voice-rejection/ pressuring journalists to reveal their sources regarding future Apple products,Apple v. Does Electronic Frontier Foundation|EFF, May 26, 2006. Retrieved on May 14, 2007. restrictive and long wait in approving or disapproving third party iPhone software, disabling iTunes syncing with third-party devices like Palm Pre, and the iPhone's US exclusivity with AT&T, along with questions and concerns about other app rejections and the general approval process for the iPhone's App Store. [http://www.appleinsider.com/articles/09/08/19/apples_campaign_to_win_the_app_store_publicity_battle. Philip W. Schiller, senior vice president of Apple's Worldwide Product Marketing, has tried to address many of the App Store concerns by sending letters to the respective developers.
