Greenpeace mounted a really effective campaign, people responded, and Apple reacted. I've included a few of the key parts of the Greenpeace post here, but link over to Greenpeace to read their "Tasty News From Apple" post. Good Stuff!
Greenpeace: "You're the consumers of Apple's products, and you've proven you make a real difference. You convinced one of the world's most cutting edge companies to peel the toxic ingredients out of the products they sell.  Apple has declared a phase out of the worst chemicals in its product range, Brominated Fire Retardants (BFRs) and Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) by 2008. That beats Dell and other computer manufacturer's pledge to phase them out by 2009. Way to go Steve!
"However, it's not everything we asked for. Customers here in the U.S. will be able to return their Apple products for recycling, but Apple isn't making that promise to customers in other countries.  Elsewhere in the world, an Apple product today can still be tomorrow's e-waste. Other manufacturers offer worldwide takeback and recycling. Apple should too!
"Apple hasn't delivered an actual green product to market, but no other electronics manufacturer has either. 
"We're not talking apples and oranges - we want ALL of the companies listed on our report card to go green. None of them has scored a perfect 10 yet, and we're still looking to Apple to be the industry leader we've all come to expect them to be.
"And to all the Apple fans who have contributed your thoughts, and blogs, and creativity to this campaign, you deserve to savor this first taste of a greener Apple. Grab your ipod and do a happy dance. You've proven you can make a real difference. You convinced one of the world's most cutting edge companies to cut the toxic ingredients out of the products they sell. "
The absolutely amazing thing... is that if Apple DID create a totally green product... they could call it the frickin Green Apple.... and the marketing would be self-evident, and a winner across the board, and people would buy it up like mad, I'd be willing to bet. What do you think? Would you ever buy one? Would only people who have Hybrid cars buy them? Not being a scientist or an environmentalist, I wonder what would have to be sacrificed in the production of a 100% Green Apple?
