Greenpeace Praises Apple But Drops Its Ranking

Greenpeace can’t decide whether to praise Apple or continue its PR tactic of attacking the company, so it’s doing both. Greenpeace recently released its 12th Guide to Greener Electronics, using Apple as a model for making BFR-free and nearly PVC-free computers. The organization even chastised other computer manufacturers for not following the lead of Apple:

Apple's new computer lines, virtually free of PVC and completely BFR-free, demonstrate the technical feasibility and supply-chain readiness of producing alternatives to these hazardous substances. Dell, Lenovo and Acer have also stayed ahead of HP, putting models on the market that are free, or at least significantly reduced in their use, of PVC and BFRs. Dell recently engaged in a public spat with Apple over Apple's claims to have the greenest family of notebooks. It's ridiculous that some companies, such as Dell, are busy challenging Apple's advertising claims when Apple is clearly leading its competitors on toxics phase out. All PC companies should be concentrating on matching or beating Apple’s lead on this important issue.

Sounds good so far. But if you download and read the full report, you’ll find that Apple has dropped one level in the ranking, due to a new rating emphasis on the use of recycled plastics and the amount of renewable energy used. Apple may not be reporting the total percentage of recycled products it uses, although Greenpeace does note that Apple uses recycled plastics in some products.

The Guide to Greener Electronics is not so much a guide to help consumers pick more environmentally friendly products as it is a method to cajole the various members of the electronics industry into meeting various goals set by Greenpeace. Personally, I would rather see the Guide to Greener Electronics be something consumers could use. Right now, it’s more like a rolled-up newspaper that Greenpeace can use to whack the heads of manufacturers it disapproves of.