A Greener Apple

After coming under criticism from Greenpeace Apple has announced plans to go greener, greener then other computer manufacturers. This announcement really made me take notice and made me proud... even more an Apple "fanboy" then I was before. Just don't get me started on spending my evenings reading MacWorld and MacLife. *lol* So what changes have occurred or are occurring?

Did you know that the typical CRT monitor contains 3 pounds (that's right POUNDS) of lead. Makes me want to trade in the monitor I have for my PC as soon as possible. The original iMac contained 484 grams of lead and the current LCD based model contains less then 1 gram. Back in 2006 Apple became the ONLY computer manufacturer to completely eliminate CRTs.

The European Union has more restrictions then the US and the latest restrictions are known as RoHS. All Apple products worldwide comply with these standards and do not contain cadmium, hexavalent chromium (think Erin Brokovich) and decabromodiphenyl ether (DecaBDE). Other companies use loopholes in the law to continue shipping products with the last 2 chemicals.

Arsenic and mercury are commonly used in LCD displays. Ever get the feeling your computer just might be the death of you? Apple plans to completely eliminate the use of arsenic in all its displays by the end of 2008. iPods already use LEDs to illuminate their displays so they do not contain any mercury. Apple is planning to transition displays to also use LED backlighting to reduce and eventually eliminate the use of mercury. There is no time frame set up for this to be complete, just when it is technically and economically feasible.

Polyvinyl chloride (PVC), a type of plastic primarily used in the construction industry but also found in computer parts and cables, and brominated flame retardants, or BFRs, which reduce the risk of fire are also being eliminated. Apple began phasing out PVC twelve years ago and began restricting BFRs in 2001. For several years now Apple has been developing alternative materials that can replace these chemicals without compromising the safety or quality of our products. They are close to eliminating them altogether. For example, more than three million iPods have already shipped with a BFR-free laminate on their logic boards. As stolen from the Apple web site, "A note of comparison — In 2007 HP stated that they will remove PVC from all their packaging. Apple did this 12 years ago. Last year, Dell began the process of phasing out large quantities of brominated flame retardants in large plastic enclosure parts. Apple’s plastic enclosure parts have been bromine-free since 2002." Apple plans to completely eliminate PVCs and BFRs by the end of 2008.

So far all I have talked about is the reduction of harmful products... but what about when the computer is no longer functioning and you're now replacing it. Obviously you can't just recycle it or toss it in the trash. I've been to the recycling facility in Peterborough... It's also where you go to take harmful chemicals to dispose of. There are several HUGE boxes full of computer parts. I often wonder what happens when these parts are left there over time. On second thought maybe I don't want to think about that.

Apple began recycling in 1994 and has taken the initiative for trade-ins or take-backs. Every Apple retail store has a take-back program in effect for the iPods. They even offer a 10% discount on a new one. This summer there is also plans to allow you to mail it back to Apple for free (if you live in the US). None of the e-waste that is collected is shipped overseas. It is processed in North America. Also, the components used are high quality and in demand for the recyclers.

I'm not a big environmentalist... but I do believe that we all need to do what we can to reduce our own footprint and support those companies that are also working to reduce their footprint. For more information on Apple's efforts to go green check out their web site