Green doesn't grow my iPod *Updated*

We did it.  Steve Jobs caved in to the growing demand that iPods be easier to recycle.  As I wrote shortly before the Apple shareholders meeting, Instead of being smart and doing the right thing then, Jobs chose to kick and scream and get some more bad press for awhile first.  Links to my post surely are what turned the tide.  Don't you think?

 

A story in Friday's Technology Daily spotlights what online advocates are doing to pressure Apple to redesign iPods so consumers can recycle the batteries. If they're not recycled, the batteries leech toxic lead and mercury out of landfills and into public ecosystems.

Activists are focusing on the April 21 Apple shareholders meeting to get Board members like Al Gore to push Apple to produce toxic-free iPods. The article quotes Ted Smith of the Silicon Valley Toxics Coalition who says, "They designed it so you can't remove the battery and recycle it.  Apple designed them for consumer glitz and not for the environment."

Why won't Steve Jobs make iPods greener? The Computer Take Back Campaign website quotes an unidentified Apple worker, who says that Steve Jobs is telling employees, "Oh, we’re as green as we can be.Those activists just want money from us."

I hope that rumor's wrong.Fans of Apple want the company to do more than make financial contributions. The Green Guide, the source for green living resources, allows consumers to forward voice mail messages and e-mail to Steve Jobs, reminding him that "unlike Dell and HP, you do not support legislation here in the U.S. that would require companies such as Apple to take responsibility for the electronics they sell once they have become obsolete.  These requirements are already standard in other parts of the world where you do business." 

Get with the program, Steve.  You've got a PR disaster on your hands if this blows up at the shareholders meeting.Your customers want to be green, so do the right thing.

Comments

[jack]

Hah!

Americans don't care about "green", unless you're talking about money. The majority of customers do not want to remove the battery to "recycle", but instead, to replace it. Sure, there will be some that will recycle, but if they made the battery removable, half of those would probably be trashed! Truth is, they want to remove the battery so they can save some "green."

You're talking about the most wasteful society on this planet. Millions of barrel of oil is wasted by SUV driving soccer moms, who feel the mantra "I drive an SUV because I can", is valid.

I agree - having a recycle program is definitely a great idea. As a member of the planet, I think we should all do our part to turn around the harm we are inflicting on our planet. But, realistically, I see little participation from Joe College student who cares little about anything else besides beer, getting laid, and having a nice car.

[hijiki]

ok, jack, why don't you give up before the game even starts? seriously, what's the harm in making batteries easier to recycle? some will recycle, some will not.... why prevent anyone from doing so? in fact, the majority of americans consider themselves 'environmentalists'. i admit most are clueless, but doesn't that mean an educational campaign with drop-offs (at the apple stores, for example), is better than just saying 'forget it, americans suck'.