Apple’s Green Approach Focuses On Software Updates

January 17, 2008

Email this story Print this post Add your comments

By focusing on software upgrades to Apple’s iPhone, Apple TV and iPod Touch, instead of hardware,upgrades, Apple and Steve Jobs are making the world greener, according to PC Magazine. Software generates no landfill waste, no heavy-metal poisoning and no toxic clouds. This will become increasingly important as we see new innovations in technologies such as software-defined radios and software-defined antennas.But Apple isn’t the only company innovating green, notes this author; it’s just doing a better job marketing. TiVo has been putting new features into Series 2 boxes for years, Archos did a poor job showing that its 704 video player is upgradeable, and cell phone makers often introduce upgrades in their products “quietly and awkwardly, with much confusion and little fanfare.”

Of course, that doesn’t mean Apple isn’t releasing new PCs. At Macworld this week, Jobs introduced MacBook Air, which is even drawing applause from Greenpeace:

“This time Steve is on the right path for a green Apple,” Greenpeace wrote on its Website. The MacBook Air is a strong entry in the race to build a green PC. As a mercury and arsenic free laptop it exceeds European Standards (RoHS directive exemptions) and raises the bar for the rest of the industry. The BFR and PVC free printed wiring on the motherboard is a big step forward, but not a first. Sony achieved that last November with the Vaio notebook.”

While a step up from the way Greenpeace has lambasted Apple in the past, the organization still got in some digs: “The MacBook Air has less PVC and BFRs than other Mac computers, but it is not entirely free from those hazardous chemicals. Had it been it would have made Apple an ecological leader. “

Email this story Print this post Add your comments

Advertisers

Enhance Sustainability. Improve Profitability.

Learn how at the SAP Sustainability Resource Center. >>

Unclear about the EPA's new GHG Rule?

Learn how it could affect your business. >>

EPA mandatory emissions reporting starts Jan 1st

CSA Standards can help your organization get ready for compliance. Find out how. >>

Best Practices: Product Environmental Compliance

How to achieve compliance at a significantly lower cost. Download the full report. >>

Join the Discussion

Recent Daily News [ see all ]

11/20/2009
11/19/2009
11/18/2009

Charts [ see all ]

European Paper Industry Cuts CO2 Emissions by 42% since 1990

S. America Takes Most Urgent View of Copenhagen Talks

Nike Tops Annual Climate Action Scores

Oceans May Trap more Carbon than Forests

Jobs

View All Jobs >> Post a Job >>

Comments and Discussions

Trade Association on Trade Group on EPA Chemical Regs: ‘If Everything is a Priority, Then Nothing is a Priority’
"Seriously… that..."

Gary Markowitz on Supermarkets Tackle Emissions Reductions, Fuel Efficiency
"Supermarkets waste over 10 percent of their energy through improper..."

peter in ireland on Ontario May Follow California’s Lead on TV Energy Efficiency
"Governor Schwarzenegger is shooting himself in the foot! 1...."

Environmental Leader on S. America Takes Most Urgent View of Copenhagen Talks
"The survey respondents (the PDF report mentions 4,000 respondents in 38..."

Jake on UPS Trying New Hydraulic Hybrid Trucks
"A point of clarification: the Reuters press release referenced herein reports that 20 UPS will purchase..."

Custom Organic Shirts on S. America Takes Most Urgent View of Copenhagen Talks
"90% of North Americans believe it is urgent to get a global climate..."

peter dublin on California City’s Green Building Ordinance Applies to Commercial Buildings
"Why energy efficiebnt regulation on buildings –..."

Environmental Leader