Greenpeace is happy with Apple going greener

James do we (USA) have such guidelines? Thanks for the posting.

How interesting. I hadn't heard about this. I think it's a good thing when companies make changes to do more for the sake of the environment.

Thanks for the feedback, Patrick and Vikki.

Patrick- we do not have these guidelines in the US. We do have lots of other guidelines, but not the forward-thinking guidelines for changing how manufacturing of electronics is carried out. The EU is way ahead of us, which is ironic because most of these issues were first first recognized by US scientists, including EPA staff, but then we never did anything. The EU paid attention and has been very systematic (and not hysterical) about handling many industrial waste, manufacturing and materials issues.

The good news for us is that high tech companies want to sell the same things in the US and Europe, they don't want parallel manufacturing lines (although these do occur for toys and less expensive items). So, we will benefit from much new green technology, but sort of by accident, and only where separate manufacturing lines don't make sense. An example is toys, baby bottles etc. made with phthalate plasticizers: I have been told by an eye witness that there are phthalate-free production lines in China that make things bound for Europe, and that these are adjacent to production lines that use phthalates for goods destined to be sold in the US. This has been the case for quite some time.

I should add that the US EPA did break new ground with the Pollution Prevention act of 1990 and the Toxic substances Control Act. However, since then, much of the EPA's power has been eroded by decreased budgets and pressure from the Bush administration. Many within the EPA would have done much more if permitted to do so.

Apple has long been an innovator in tech. Nice to see it moving toward environmental innovation as well.

G T. Absolutely. Thanks for the comment.

Thank you for this information. I was unaware of this. I am an Macintosh person too! Thanks again!

Nina: I always loved Mac's. I had to switch to pc's at one point due to a company policy, and I haven't switched back, but my wife has a MacBook and I helped my mother get an iMac over the holidays. It has an amazing screen!

There are some guidelines coming out.

I work at a plant which makes fuse boxes, ECU components, and things like car center panels. Starting in 2009, we are no longer allowed to use lead in our products, because of some federal law. I was listening, I swaer, but had a herd time hearing over the guy next to me's cell .

Thanks Stephanie. I hadn't heard of this. All I had heard was that US companies were going to comply with EU standards so that their products could sell in Europe. I appreciate the update!