In a surprising move, Apple has asked EPEAT (Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool) to remove the list of its products otherwise certified to be environment-friendly before from the group’s registry products that met environment-friendly certification.
The products Apple asked to be removed include displays, notebooks, and desktops totaling 39 items. Some schools, businesses, and government institutions require their respective IT departments to buy only environmentally sound products listed under EPEAT registry, so this could limit the options of these organizations in their future purchases.
Analysts believe the restriction imposed by EPEAT is the reason why Apple has decided to reverse its thrust in making products green. One of the company’s most recent products, the new Retina MacBook Pro is already so thin but Apple decided to shave off a few more millimeters to the size of the notebook. That makes it more difficult to take apart by an average user.
Apple offers recycling programs of its products in its website to calm critics and users alike, adding to the speculation by experts that Apple may be developing its own standard for its own products.
·
Illustrated selections of BDI’s news stories and events are emailed direct to subscribers. For a free subscription, send a blank email with “Subscribe to BDI Broadcasts” in the subject line to