Amsterdam, 10 September, 2008 - Greenpeace today applauded Steve Jobs' announcement that Apple's latest batch of revamped iPods - the iPod Touch, iPod Nano and iPod Classic - will now be free of both PVC and BFRs, along with an absence of mercury and the use of arsenic-free glass(1).

"Greenpeace congratulates Apple for phasing out harmful chemicals like PVC and BFRs in its new, much greener iPods. But we know that Jobs and his team can go even further, and truly take a lead in greening the electronics industry," said Casey Harrell, Greenpeace International campaigner. "We hope that this is only a teaser of what is to come, and that we will see more of the same with all future product announcements, from iPhones to Macs."

Greenpeace believes that the latest-generation iPods are significantly less toxic than before. Apple's announcement(2) is also a good sign that it is serious about meeting its commitment to phase out PVC and BFRs from all of its products by the end of 2008. Further, it shows - once again - that there is absolutely no reason why a high-performing electronics product needs to be toxic in order to be popular, effective and affordable - these are the cheapest iPods yet.

While Apple has now positioned itself amongst the leaders in the electronics industry on PVC and BFR phase out, toxic chemical phase-out in its iPods should be consistent across all other future product ranges, from Apple iPhone to Apple Macs.

"Greenpeace will stay vigilant, watching future Apple announcements and holding it accountable," added Harrell. "What we'd really like for Christmas is to see Apple remove toxic chemicals from all its products, and announce a free, global recycling scheme. Now, that would make a very tasty green Apple indeed!"

Notes:

(1) Electronic devices are a complex mixture of several hundred materials. Many of these materials contain certain toxic heavy metals, such as lead, mercury, cadmium and beryllium, and hazardous chemicals such as BFRs (brominated flame retardants) and polluting PVC (polyvinyl chloride) plastic. These dangerous substances cause serious pollution and put workers and recyclers at risk of exposure when the products are produced or disposed of. Of particular concern is the exposure of women and children to lead and mercury; these metals are highly toxic and can harm children and developing foetuses even at low levels of exposure.

(2) Apple has streamed its product launch for online viewing, available at: http://events.apple.com.edgesuite.net/0809dt4bs89/event/index.html

Author / Source / Credit: Greenpeace

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