Greenpeace slams iPhone's green credentials

 

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Posted on 16 Oct 2007 at 10:41

Greenpeace claims that analysis of Apple's iPhone has shown it contains several hazardous chemicals. Research conducted at the group's UK laboratory confirmed the presence of toxic brominated compounds and hazardous PVC.

"Steve Jobs has missed the call on making the iPhone his first step towards greening Apple's products," says Zeina Alhajj, Greenpeace International toxics campaigner. "It seems that Apple is far from leading the way for a green electronics industry as competitors, like Nokia, already sell mobile phones free of PVC."

Certain design features also worried Greenpeace, such as the battery, which is glued and soldered into place. This will prevent battery replacement, forcing the disposal of handsets earlier than necessary - a financial problem for handset owners, as well as an environmental issue.

Although the device was found to be compliant with the EU RoHS directive, the substances present have been proven to have a serious detrimental impact to the environment.

"Two of the phthalate plasticisers found at high levels in the headphone cable are classified in Europe as 'toxic to reproduction, category 2' because of their long-recognised ability to interfere with sexual development in mammals," says Dr David Santillo, senior scientist at the Greenpeace Research Laboratories.

The group also raised concerns the handsets would not be properly disposed of at the end of their useful life. "Apple does not have a global free take-back policy so the eventual fate of the between four and 10 million iPhones expected to be sold in its first year is uncertain," says the Greenpeace website.

Apple has defended its environmental record. "Like all Apple products worldwide, iPhone complies with RoHS, the world's toughest restrictions on toxic substances in electronics.," a company spokesman says. "As we have said, Apple will voluntarily eliminate the use of PVC and BFRs by the end of 2008."

Greenpeace has criticised Apple for not doing enough to protect the environment before, and the full findings of the new report is available here.

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Author: Matthew Sparkes