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Weekend reads: Apple EPEAT fallout
Apple may lose business to the Feds and lose the City of San Francisco as a client but its product design will still be remarkable.
Fri, Jul 13 2012 at 2:00 PM
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Photo: benjamin-nagel/Flickr
Apple quietly removed its products from the EPEAT green technology certification program last month but this week the chatter about the decision is anything but quiet.
When it comes to technology supplies, the federal government must ensure that at least 95 percent of its purchases are EPEAT certified. If no Apple products carry this certification then the government may need to reduce its spending on Apple products, including the iPhone.
Despite an initial no comment stance on its decision, Apple has decided to speak publicly about leaving the EPEAT program.
“We also lead the industry by reporting each product’s greenhouse gas emissions on our website, and Apple products are superior in other important environmental areas not measured by EPEAT, such as removal of toxic materials.”
While the federal government may have to scale back its MacBook purchases, the City of San Francisco isn’t going to be purchasing any at all. Information Week reports that the city sent a notice to employees informing them that new Apple laptop and desktop systems cannot be purchased with city funds.
If you’re wondering what the big deal is about Apple leaving EPEAT, or if it is really a big deal at all, then Dan Moren’s article on MacWorld.com is a must-read.
“We’ve put together a quick rundown of the move’s significance; while it may not make you an expert on all things environmental and technological, it might at least give you something to talk about at your next dinner party.”
There has been some speculation that Apple’s decision to leave EPEAT was fueled, at least in part, by the design direction the company is taking.
“There is an implicit conceit that in order to continue to design things on their own terms, Apple needs to run free, unconstrained, to innovate and produce objects of desire and profound beauty and performance. These products define their brand and have re-defined an entire industry, making them the most valuable company in the world.”
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Computers and similiar devices can't seriously be considered green in the first place. They use rare earth minerals, use a lot of energy to produce and ship (not to mention the chemicals used in the process of chips), and are hard to recycle. We all know the enviromental impacts of mining for copper, gold, and etc. Having a "green" list is ridiculous and maybe Apple sees it that way too.