Environment Support

APPLE

Apple Incorporated is an international company selling a variety of technological devices, including laptops and music players. Apple is particularly known for its Mac personal computers, its iPod portable music players, and most recently, its multimedia mobile phone, the iPhone. Macintosh is a brand name created by Apple in their long list of products. Made up of desktops models, laptops and computer operating systems, the brand has made an impact on many consumers worldwide.

The company was formerly known as Apple Computer Incorporate. Apple changed its name when it expanded its line of products beyond computers. Apple was originally founded in California in 1976.

Key People of Apple Inc.:

The electronics consumer market is a very demanding and fast-growing one, and companies like Apple must respond to their consumers' demands and keep up with their competitors. Month after month, mobile phone and computer companies release newer models.

With the market swelling with a gamut of electronic toys and gizmos, concern has arisen for the growing amount of electronic waste. Environmentalists, critics and consumers have asked for help in safely disposing of their old, broken, or outdated electronics.

The Apple recycling program has been launched for customers who want to contribute to the green movement. Product take-back and recycling include iPods, cellphones, old Macintosh computers and other products, regardless of model or manufacturer. Partnering with other agencies, companies, and countries, Apple wants to extend its services to the worldwide consumer market. The Apple Company does not only support recycling programs in the United States but also in Asian countries like Japan and Taiwan.

There is also concern about the presence of dangerous chemicals in their products. Most toxic chemicals from electronic products are found in small amounts. However, lead is shipped by the pound. The lead in electronic products is contained in the cathode-ray tube (CRT). A typical CRT has about 3 pounds of this highly lethal chemical. In mid of 2006, Apple became the first company in the computer industry to completely abolish the use of CRTs.

Apple also plans to completely eliminate the use of arsenic in all of its liquid crystal displays (LCDs) by the end of 2008, as well as the use of PVC (a type of plastic found in computer parts and cables) and brominated flame retardants.

Apple's response to allegations and criticism has been the subject of some environmental groups. Apple creates environmental programs for its consumers because Apple feels responsibility in the conservation of resources and the planet in general. The "greener" Apple strives to eliminate harmful substances from their products. Following certain standards in energy management, Apple carefully evaluates its production process for both safety and efficiency. Product and packaging mass are continually being reduced, as well as power consumption and toxic substances. Optimizing each product's life is also part of Apple's commitment to the environment.

As early as 1990, Apple released and implemented its environmental policy, and only a year after, the company phased lead out of their batteries (several years in advance of the 1996 European battery directive). In 1992, they eliminated CFC from their manufacturing. Apple has also been able to eliminate the use of NiCad batteries and PVC in their packaging materials. Today, Apple has reached standards based on American and European environmental regulations as well as energy management laws and employee health policies. All Apple products worldwide are now compliant with the European Directive on the Restriction of the Use of Certain Hazardous Substances in electronics, also known as the RoHS Directive.

Most recently, Apple released the first MacBook Pro that has a mercury-free LED backlit display.

Apple Environment Resources