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The average consumer would GO TO THE NEAREST APPLE STORE AND TAKE THEIR DEVICE FOR RECYCLING AND GET A GIFT CARD FOR DOING SO..if there are no Apple Store nearby, the average consumer will get Apple to ship it for free to recycle their old device and get a gift card for doing so.

P.S. I got a $163 for recycling my old ass almost dead iMac..

http://www.apple.com/recycling/

I just take my old iMac into any Apple Store and they issue me a gift card? Online it says they'll hook me up with a $193!!
 
Knock it off with the "user upgradable" crap. That is irrelevant to the topic and honestly is also becoming an antiquated process as the netbook lines evolve.

This is about recycling/disposal policies. Not whether or not you can save $100 by upgrading the RAM yourself. The latter is currently being discussed in a dozen other threads in the forum.

When it comes down to retiring your Mac, you have several options that do not require that you take a hammer to your computer. So, Apple's decision to withdraw from an outdated standard does not effect the consumer with the exception of the stray ignorant soul who imagines a pile of MacBooks sitting in the sun, emitting toxic radiation, with dead kittens lying around the scene.
 
For all of you supporting EPEAT and bashing Apple. Read this, taken from EPEAT's site. I love their mission - "Operate the most successful global environmental rating system for electronic products..." Their goal is to operate a rating system - not to reduce or eliminate electronic waste or to better recycle said parts. It's complete crap - again it probably started with noble intent, but that is not what it is today.

EPEAT® is the definitive global registry for greener electronics. It’s an easy-to-use resource for purchasers, manufacturers, resellers and others wanting to find and promote environmentally preferable products.

Our vision: A world where the negative environmental and social impacts of electronics are continually reduced and electronic products are designed to accelerate the world’s transition to sustainability

Our mission: Operate the most successful global environmental rating system for electronic products, helping connect purchasers to environmentally preferable choices, and thereby benefiting producers who demonstrate environmental responsibility and innovation

Our values: Leadership, transparency, continuous improvement, collaboration and market-orientation
 
That's the lamest excuse I have ever heard from a company. They are attacking a standard as an excuse for pulling there products from attempting to follow that standard.

They should just face it that they can't meet EPEAT environmental standards. I love Apple products, but come on and stop trying to make excuses.
What's so great about EPEAT standards? I care about what a company does, not if they meet some checklist, and one that seems to be outdated. Show me evidence that Apple's green standards have changed (for the worse) because of this. My guess is you can't.
 
Way to take their mission out of context with the small part of the actual mission statement.



For all of you supporting EPEAT and bashing Apple. Read this, taken from EPEAT's site. I love their mission - "Operate the most successful global environmental rating system for electronic products..." Their goal is to operate a rating system - not to reduce or eliminate electronic waste or to better recycle said parts. It's complete crap - again it probably started with noble intent, but that is not what it is today.

EPEAT® is the definitive global registry for greener electronics. It’s an easy-to-use resource for purchasers, manufacturers, resellers and others wanting to find and promote environmentally preferable products.

Our vision: A world where the negative environmental and social impacts of electronics are continually reduced and electronic products are designed to accelerate the world’s transition to sustainability

Our mission: Operate the most successful global environmental rating system for electronic products, helping connect purchasers to environmentally preferable choices, and thereby benefiting producers who demonstrate environmental responsibility and innovation

Our values: Leadership, transparency, continuous improvement, collaboration and market-orientation


----------

I guess there are 2 ways of looking at it. Their points are valid. EPEAT is outdated and maybe they are pushing for something new to happen by making such a bold move. On the other hand, withdrawing from EPEAT does allow them to be less green and maybe allow them to profit further with an increased environmental impact

I don't think the issue is whether they are more or less green. People seem to be up in arms that EPEAT has a standard to meet their approval. Apple doesn't meet it. San Francisco (the city) only purchases computers and laptops with the EPEAT seal of approval.

No one is saying Apple is more or less green. They are saying that based on EPEATS's criteria - they don't qualify.

The real problem is that the general public doesn't know what is and what isn't the criteria to get an EPEAT approval - they just see headlines that (now) state that SF won't purchase Apple's computers because they don't pass EPEAT's rating.

That was the thrust of the PR spin by Apple. In short - they were saying they are every bit as environmentally conscious - if not more so - than before. Regardless of any "rating." And at the same time - they took a little swipe at EPEAT in the process. Which, personally, they didn't need to do. But that's Apple.
 
Knock it off with the "user upgradable" crap. That is irrelevant to the topic and honestly is also becoming an antiquated process as the netbook lines evolve.

This is about recycling/disposal policies. Not whether or not you can save $100 by upgrading the RAM yourself. The latter is currently being discussed in a dozen other threads in the forum.

When it comes down to retiring your Mac, you have several options that do not require that you take a hammer to your computer. So, Apple's decision to withdraw from an outdated standard does not effect the consumer with the exception of the stray ignorant soul who imagines a pile of MacBooks sitting in the sun, emitting toxic radiation, with dead kittens lying around the scene.
Seems to me this is just an excuse for people to bitch about the rMBP not being easily serviceable by the average joe and to look pro environment in the process. Prior to this hubbub I'm sure most people had never even heard of EPEAT.
 
For all of you supporting EPEAT and bashing Apple.

No one is supporting EPEAT and bashing Apple. EPEAT is EPEAT, Apple is Apple. Both have a choice in doing what they do.

Read this, taken from EPEAT's site. I love their mission - "Operate the most successful global environmental rating system for electronic products..." Their goal is to operate a rating system - not to reduce or eliminate electronic waste or to better recycle said parts.

So I guess ANSI, the IETF and ISO are also bad because their missions are to operate successful standardisation organisations rather than producing standardized products ?

EPEAT's goal is to operate a rating system. This system rates environnemental sustainability based on determined critieria. What's wrong with that ? Are you bashing EPEAT ? Why ?
 
Way to take their mission out of context with the small part of the actual mission statement.

Out of context? You're out of context. The whole mission: Our mission: Operate the most successful global environmental rating system for electronic products, helping connect purchasers to environmentally preferable choices, and thereby benefiting producers who demonstrate environmental responsibility and innovation.

Please, dear lord, tell me how the rest of their mission speaks of doing anything about helping the environment? Please, please tell me. "Helping connect purchasers to environmentally preferable choices, and thereby benefiting producers who demonstrate environmental responsibility and innovation."

Quite frankly, Apple seems to be a pretty damn good fit for consumers looking to buy environmentally preferable electronics as they are demonstrating environmental responsibility and innovation.

But you can choose to buy an HP or Dell or Samsung, or whatever you want because they're all doing things better than Apple.
 
Out of context? You're out of context. The whole mission: Our mission: Operate the most successful global environmental rating system for electronic products, helping connect purchasers to environmentally preferable choices, and thereby benefiting producers who demonstrate environmental responsibility and innovation.

Please, dear lord, tell me how the rest of their mission speaks of doing anything about helping the environment?

By connecting purchasers to suppliers who want to buy products that meet EPEAT's requirements for sustainability for one ? What's wrong with establishing a sustainability rating system and operating it ?
 
The reason makes sense to me, although I can see why some wouldn't like Apple's move here. The fact is that they have been committed towards environmental consciousness for a while now, and that won't change just because of this event.
 
I see it like this.

Buy an Apple computer. it is energy efficient, made of highly recyclable materials and has the lowest greenhouse emissions. But cannot be easily taken apart by consumers.

or

Buy a computer that waste power, made from plastic, and does not care about greenhouse emissions. But it can be taken apart easily.

Hum that is a easy decision for me.

By the way, all you who are up in arms about e-peat and taking your electronic devices apart for recycling.... what about Televisions, these are far bigger, and are replaced more frequently then any computer I have owned. Do you take those apart to recycle, how about digital cameras, DVD players, Stereo receivers, Cell phones, etc. (I'll bet there are way more cell phones in our land fills then apple computers!)

The average consumer does not tear down and disassemble any electronic device before disposing, or recycling. Using highly recyclable materials, and being environmentally friendly is a far better choice for everyone who lives on Planet Earth.
 
That's the lamest excuse I have ever heard from a company. They are attacking a standard as an excuse for pulling there products from attempting to follow that standard.

They should just face it that they can't meet EPEAT environmental standards. I love Apple products, but come on and stop trying to make excuses.

EPEAT is a private organization. Just because they publish a "standard", doesn't mean not following it makes you anti-environment.

Sounds to be like EPEAT is just trying to strong-arm Apple, while being hypocritical by ignoring handheld devices and tablets.
 
Sorry - I can't help you with reading comprehension. I say that sincerely. If you believe what your wrote to be true and not out of context...

I guess LEEDS (which Apple also praises itself for having the platinum rating) is meaningless as well?

Out of context? You're out of context. The whole mission: Our mission: Operate the most successful global environmental rating system for electronic products, helping connect purchasers to environmentally preferable choices, and thereby benefiting producers who demonstrate environmental responsibility and innovation.

Please, dear lord, tell me how the rest of their mission speaks of doing anything about helping the environment? Please, please tell me. "Helping connect purchasers to environmentally preferable choices, and thereby benefiting producers who demonstrate environmental responsibility and innovation."

Quite frankly, Apple seems to be a pretty damn good fit for consumers looking to buy environmentally preferable electronics as they are demonstrating environmental responsibility and innovation.

But you can choose to buy an HP or Dell or Samsung, or whatever you want because they're all doing things better than Apple.
 
I see it like this.

Buy an Apple computer. it is energy efficient, made of highly recyclable materials and has the lowest greenhouse emissions. But cannot be easily taken apart by consumers.

or

Buy a computer that waste power, made from plastic, and does not care about greenhouse emissions. But it can be taken apart easily.

or

Buy a computer that is energy efficient, made of highly recyclade materials and has the lowest greenhouse emissions and can be taken apart easily enabling any local recycler to dispose of it when the time comes.

You know, not everything in life has to be extremes. ;)
 
EPEAT is a private organization. Just because they publish a "standard", doesn't mean not following it makes you anti-environment.

Sounds to be like EPEAT is just trying to strong-arm Apple, while being hypocritical by ignoring handheld devices and tablets.

No. EPEAT isn't trying to strongarm anything. SF isn't either. Did you not read this entire thread? Because I (and others) have made it very clear.

EPEAT has a standard. Apple doesn't meet it. EPEAT isn't certifying some products of Apple. The city of SF only will buy computers/laptops with an EPEAT rating. There's no forcing anyone to do anything. And no one is being hypocritical.
 
Sounds to be like EPEAT is just trying to strong-arm Apple

What actions have EPEAT actually taken against Apple and how are they "strong-arming" them exactly ? Do you have any examples of this strong-arming or are you just making stuff up ?

Apple decided to follow EPEAT standards, then they decided not to. That's about the only thing that has happenned.
 
Apple is deciding they will do their own version of green and not be shackled to any 3rd party interpretation of what eco friendly means. Looks like control is back in the hands of Apple and they can lead on this. Sounds like smart business to me.

Most of these eco groups need to be marginalized anyhow.
 
What actions have EPEAT actually taken against Apple and how are they "strong-arming" them exactly ? Do you have any examples of this strong-arming or are you just making stuff up ?

Apple decided to follow EPEAT standards, then they decided not to. That's about the only thing that has happenned.

In February - I had a list of standards I needed in a phone. Apple used to meet those. They decided not to. I must be trying to strong-arm them into complying with my wishes.
 
Apple is deciding they will do their own version of green and not be shackled to any 3rd party interpretation of what eco friendly means. Looks like control is back in the hands of Apple and they can lead on this. Sounds like smart business to me.

Control has always been in the hand of Apple. They were never "shackled" to EPEAT since participation in the rating system has always been optional.

Most of these eco groups need to be marginalized anyhow.

Eco groups ? EPEAT is a tool built from a grant by the EPA, a US government agency : http://www.epa.gov/epeat/. The EPA gave the management to the GEC, a non-profit organisation : http://www.greenelectronicscouncil.org/pages/about. Eco terrorists these guys aren't...
 
I believe what was meant by EPEAT's standards being "outdated" refer's to Apple's latest technology in their non-user serviceable "retina" notebooks being "unfit" for EPEAT even though the devices are technically eco-conscious. As the retina displays require a tighter form factor they do not qualify for EPEAT's list, however EPEAT needs to address their list to recognize that if a tech isn't user serviceable it does not necessarily mean it is environmentally toxic. Apple can and will recycle the devices, and the devices are still utilizing the same eco-conscious/recyclable materials as before; aluminum, mercury and arsenic free materials and parts.

While I do not like Apple's move to less user serviceable/upgradeable systems for other reasons, I still believe that Apple products are leading the tech industry into better environmental responsibility. Group's such as EPEAT aren't doing this for fun, they do a good job at keeping company's in check without strong arming any one or hindering their ability in the free market.
 
That's the lamest excuse I have ever heard from a company. They are attacking a standard as an excuse for pulling there products from attempting to follow that standard.

They should just face it that they can't meet EPEAT environmental standards. I love Apple products, but come on and stop trying to make excuses.

Yep... nothing but spin from Apple - sad thing is some will believe this stupidity.
 
Control has always been in the hand of Apple. They were never "shackled" to EPEAT since participation in the rating system has always been optional.



Eco groups ? EPEAT is a tool built from a grant by the EPA, a US government agency : http://www.epa.gov/epeat/. The EPA gave the management to the GEC, a non-profit organisation : http://www.greenelectronicscouncil.org/pages/about. Eco terrorists these guys aren't...

Not to mention - Apple had been instrumental in developing the EPEAT certification standards.
 
This whole issue will most likely wash over once Apple start releasing more computers with Retina-MBP functionality. The company have been producing very 'closed' products for many years now, and it surely won't be long before the idea of letting a customer open up their Mac/iDevice will seem old hat. It's just the way things are going unfortunately, and it's how they've managed to continue miniaturising their technology.
 
Apple makes a valid point and Epeat acknowledged that they are behind the ball on this one. This is another case of ISO-like standards aging out of relevance and some (like government departments) unable to move beyond them once they are set in stone. Just like ISO, this has become irrelevant and will soon go away when it becomes obvious to those clinging to it that nothing but old, outdated stuff meets these old, outdated specs.
 
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