News of Apple’s decision to no longer comply with Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool (EPEAT) standards has jarred the environmentally conscious population.
EPEAT is a non-profit group that focuses on making electronics more sustainable. The group is considered the number one environmental rating system for electronic devices in the world. The U.S. Government requires 95 percent of its electronic products to be EPEAT certified, prompting major manufacturing companies to buy their parts from EPEAT-approved businesses.
At one point, 39 of Apple’s products received a gold level certification from EPEAT, but the company has recently pulled all of their products from EPEAT’s reviewing system.
Although Apple chooses not to comment, speculation reasons that Apple’s new MacBook Pro doesn’t meet the requirements due to its retina display. One requirement for EPEAT certification is that all parts can be disconnected from each other to make them easy to reuse and recycle. However, Apple’s retina display is glued to the battery making it difficult to disassemble. Similar issues appear in products like the new iPhone and iPad.
If this is the direction Apple is moving in, then it makes sense that they would cut their ties with EPEAT, although many environmentally concerned consumers are disappointed with Apples decision.
This change, however, doesn’t mean that Apple is no longer environmentally friendly. Apple has its own recycling program that offers rewards like gift cards and discounts for people to choose to recycle old products through Apple. This program is a necessity since the turnover rate for Apple products is so fast—when a new product is released, users drop their current version for the new.
Apple also tracks their carbon footprint and posts about their efforts to reduce it by changing manufacturing processes and delivery costs. Moving away from EPEAT does inspire red flags about Apple’s production process; however, it doesn’t mean they are no longer environmentally friendly products.
What do you think about Apple’s stance on their effect on the environment?
About the Author: Porter is a tech geek. He loves staying up on all the new gadgets. When he isn’t looking into the new upcoming tech he is a writer and content specialist for CenturyLinkQuote.
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