Edible Apple

A few days ago we reported on how Apple had asked the Environmental Product Environmental Assessment Tool (EPEAT) to remove its products from their list of green products. The impetus for the request was that as Apple’s products become thinner and thinner, they are simulatenously becoming less easy to recycle, and consequently, are running afoul of EPEAT guidelines.

EPEAT CEO Robert Frisbee explained that Apple’s “design direction was no longer consistent with the EPEAT requirements.”

Yesterday, Apple issued a statement to Jim Darlymple of The Loop explaining their position. In short, Apple argues that the EPEAT requirements are outdated and that Apple adheres to other, and in their view, more appropriate environmental standards.

“Apple takes a comprehensive approach to measuring our environmental impact and all of our products meet the strictest energy efficiency standards backed by the US government, Energy Star 5.2,” Apple rep Kristin Huguet explained. “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.”

Darlymple also points some interesting facts:

It’s important to note that in addition to not measuring toxins and other environmental areas, EPEAT also doesn’t measure smartphones or tablets. Clearly these are two areas that are vitally important for Apple and not covered by EPEAT.

Companies like Dell have 171 products listed on EPEAT, but yet if you look on Dell’s Web site, none of their computers are even Energy Star Compliant.

By its own admission, the EPEAT certifications are old.

via The Loop