Apple Withdraws Products From 'Green' Rating System
CUPERTINO (CBS SF) – Apple Inc. has withdrawn its products from a prominent environmental rating system, a move that has upset environmentalists and groups that buy "green" products.
The Cupertino-based company said it will no longer submit its products to the EPEAT product registry.
According to the San Jose Mercury News, the company's decision may be linked to the their new MacBook Pro laptops. Batteries for the computer are glued to the case and can't be disassembled for recycling, which violates the group's green certification standards.
KCBS' Matt Bigler Reports:
In the past, Apple has boasted its computers and laptops have received "gold ratings" from the group.
EPEAT is backed by many tech manufacturers and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. According to the group, their ratings cover desktops, laptops/notebooks, workstations, thin clients and computer monitors.
Apple's decision could impact their sales to governments, large corporations and educational institutions which use the group's registry to buy environmentally-friendly electronics. The City of San Francisco's procurement rules require the purchasing of computers with EPEAT approval.
Apple has not offered an explanation on its withdrawal from the group, but told the newspaper that the company remains committed to the environment.
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