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IT Greenpeace Gets Ejected From MacExpo
Marcus Yam (Blog) - October 26, 2006 10:20 PM
Print 37 comment(s) - last by MobileZone.. on Oct 31 at 10:14 AM

'Green my Apple' promoter with apples less than green.
Environmentalist group cries foul, MacExpo organizer claim breach of contract reasons

Environmentalist group Greenpeace was ousted from the current MaxExpo in London by event organizers who claimed they had received complaints about the exhibitor from unnamed sources.

Greenpeace purchased space for the three-day expo in an attempt to raise awareness about concerns over the alleged use of toxic chemicals in Apple’s products.

Volunteers manning the Greenpeace stall were signing up Mac fans to challenge Apple to use less toxic methods to manufacture its products. Flyers explaining the Green my Apple campaign were handed out to members of the public along with organic green apples before the group was told to leave MacExpo.

"This reaction is totally over-the-top" said Iza Kruszewska of Greenpeace. "Apple refuses to address our criticisms on their products, both for the recycling and for the use of harmful chemicals. Instead of hiding their head in the sand, Apple should be a world leader in the greening of the electronics industry, not lagging behind."

"It’s time for Apple to use clean components in all of its products and to provide a free take-back program to reuse and recycle its products wherever they are sold. We are challenging the world leader in design to also be a world leader in environmental innovation. We challenge Apple to have a product range on the market by 2007 which is free of the worst toxic chemicals," she concluded.

While Apple could not be reached for comment at the time of writing, The Register heard from MacExpo marketing director Matt Denton explaining that Greenpeace was at the show under the condition that they hand out leaflets only in their assigned area and not to take photographs at other stands.

"It was a valid stand with a valid message," said Denton "They breached their contract."

Greenpeace is campaigning against Apple after it discovered presence of toxic substances in Mac laptops. According to Greenpeace's report, Apple products contain a number of hazardous chemicals like PVC and BFRs. The fan in the Mac Book Pro had a concentration of 262 mg/kg of TBBPA (a type of brominated flame retardant - BFR) which was the highest level in the fans among the five brands Greenpeace investigated.

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Environmentalists annoy people
By Zirconium on 10/27/2006 1:56:19 AM , Rating: 1
I do not think that the reaction was over the top. Environmentalists have a habit of getting in your face about issues that you, like another poster mentioned, just don't care about. They act very holier-than-thou, and if you dare challenge them on any "facts" in the "studies" they are presenting, they will simply call you ignorant and try to dismiss your claims.

All that being said, I'm not sure why Macs have more toxic chemicals in their laptops than competitors and that does tend to go against Apple's anti-corporate message. While Apple is subcontracting the production of its products to other companies, you would think that for the money you are paying, they could use materials with less toxic compounds.




By L1NUXownz1fUR1337 on 10/27/2006 2:48:31 AM , Rating: 1
denial is a step away from recovery.

crapple - I was right all along... it is crap - it is crap - hahaha!!!




RE: Environmentalists annoy people
By feelingshorter on 10/27/2006 2:50:11 AM , Rating: 5
Haha, Mac supporters are more in your face and just as zealous as anybody.


RE: Environmentalists annoy people
By PitViper007 on 10/27/2006 8:41:32 AM , Rating: 1
Ok, let's assume for the momment that what you've said is true. What does that say about Greenpeace that they got thrown out of MacExpo???? If they were so "in your face" that even Mac supporters got irritated, they must have gotten pretty bad. Just my 2¢.



RE: Environmentalists annoy people
By feelingshorter on 10/28/2006 9:48:56 PM , Rating: 2
What does it say about them getting thrown out of MacExpo? Apple was probably running the thing. Your argument is baseless, because your going it from the view point of Apple. Your just another one of those Mac zealot.

Going by your argument, lets say Greenpeace hosted an expo and they kicked Apple out of it. What does it say about Apple? Hmm? Isn't that a biased question, to ask one side why something happens?

Umm "that even Mac supporters got irritated". Buddy. Mac supporters are some of the most irritable people in the whole f*&king world. Prove to me that Mac users are less irritable than anyone else.

Like others, i have fun going around saying "mac sucks," just to see the little ants swarm out of their hills mindlessly defending their queen.


By PitViper007 on 10/29/2006 9:11:53 PM , Rating: 2
First, while I admit to working on Macs for a living (as well as PC's) the only Mac I have in my house is an iMac that I bought second hand for my son. I'm an old PC person from the mid 80's. Up until 5 years ago, I hadn't touched a Mac. I am far from being a Mac zealot. I have learned in that time that the Mac is just another way to get things done, which in some ways is better and others worse than a PC.

Second, I'll admit my comment about Greenpeace getting thrown out of MacExpo was looking at it from Apple's viewpoint, however, having dealt with some of the extremists that predominate Greenpeace, I have to say, my sympathies are with Apple. It was afterall their show.

I do find it somewhat amusing that Greempeace and Apple (in the form of MacExpo) would be at odds here. As another poster said, Apple has for the longest time been associated with the environmental movement (whether realistically or not).

Like it or not, that's my opinion. You're entitled to your own of course.

PitViper


RE: Environmentalists annoy people
By retrospooty on 10/27/2006 1:19:00 PM , Rating: 4
This is true, at least for Many Mac zealots... I am not trashing all Mac fans, but there are a great deal of them that go into a panicked, holier than thou frenzy whenever anyone mentions anything negative about a Mac... Its pretty funny. Sometime I admit I bait them on just to watch the show. =)


RE: Environmentalists annoy people
By stmok on 10/27/2006 5:19:05 PM , Rating: 1
LOL! Its what I do when I'm bored!
Hey! Its free entertainment! :)


By retrospooty on 10/27/2006 6:24:21 PM , Rating: 1
ROTFL ... I thought it was just me. hehe


RE: Environmentalists annoy people
By IronGeek on 10/27/2006 3:02:01 AM , Rating: 4
Some people have a habit of getting in your face about issues that others just don't care about. They sometimes act very holier-than-thou, and if you dare challenge them on any "facts" in the "studies" they are presenting, they will simply call you ignorant and try to dismiss your claims.

Yo, strawman, Greenpeace didn't do this. And are you imp[lying that only environmentalists could ever behave this way?


By othercents on 10/27/2006 10:27:01 AM , Rating: 5
It has always been stated to move someone an inch one direction you have to push them two inches. Overzealous yes, but with good cause. Without this article I wouldn't have known what toxic chemicals are in specific products. It would be best overall if we did reduce the amount of toxic chemicals in all products. I actually never even thought about it.

Now saying that Apple is the most innovative company and should lead the was is preposterous. However they should get their act together and at least be as good as the rest of the computer market.

Other


RE: Environmentalists annoy people
By 0roo0roo on 10/28/2006 9:22:20 AM , Rating: 1
bingo, these people show up, and everyones already immune to what they have to say, because their stunts are wearing thin. apples a big target and they show up to gain publicity for their own organization, thats what it boils down to, justifying their own existence. if they think they are convincing anyone of anything they are totally delusional.


Envoirement
By crystal clear on 10/27/2006 7:43:44 PM , Rating: 2
Read this-

"Job at PC plant may raise risk of cancer death

"http://today.reuters.co.uk/news/articlenews.aspx?t...












RE: Envoirement
By just4U on 10/28/2006 2:44:00 AM , Rating: 2
You know .. to the poster who used to work at circuit city .. and dealing with mac fans.

As a computer enthusiast (as im sure many of us are here) It should be noted that many of us have experienced watching salespeople sell inferior overpriced computers to the unknowing public fully realizing that what they are buying will not meet their needs.. (mac/pc no matter it's all the same)

For the cancer part... <sigh> so many things we do these days can potentially increase our chances of getting some form of cancer so no surprises with that article .. really.

While it's nice that GreenPeace is alway's trying to get the message out about raising our awareness, their actions in doing so usually leave alot to be desired. One of the things I really dislike about them is they only come half armed...

What happens when you give some person out there a little bit of computer knowledge? Usually it's just enough to get them in alot of trouble with their systems... (or somebody elses) and that's how I view many at GreenPeace.


RE: Envoirement
By crystal clear on 10/28/2006 3:56:57 AM , Rating: 2
Via readies 'carbon-free' PCs
Via teams with two UK computer makers to reduce the environmental impact of

Source-http://www.infoworld.com/article/06/10/12/HNcarbon...

There is definitely a TREND to be ENVOIREMENTLY CONSCIENTOUS
amongst PC manufacturers & through them components manufacturers.

I certainly dont support Greenpeace tactics,however much their intentions/objectives may be good.
There are better ways to achieve this.





RE: Envoirement
By peternelson on 10/28/2006 3:52:50 PM , Rating: 2
The stand was making a good point in the right place.

IF they behaved properly that would have worked.

When you do trade stands, you MUST abide by the terms or you get kicked out with no refund. That's only fair on other exhibitors.

So they wasted the money they had paid for the stand by not being able to continue to use it. I would not want my charity donations wasted in this way. They could have behaved and met their objectives well.

UNLESS someone thought they would get more value for money by the publicity of "greenpeace gets kicked out of macexpo", and they might be right. ie how to achieve a lot using only a moderate stand budget.

Here in Europe the EU has ruled on the phaseout of many nasty chemicals in this market (the ROHS directive - removal of hazardous substances).

So manufacturers have a choice: either continue making nasty components and not sell them here, or make special nice ones for here, or just make all their products nice and sell them everywhere. Most go for the latter, so the EU leading has helped for other countries.

Obviously there was a phaseout transition timetable, and in certain cases where their were not viable equivalents and you could justify it, that was ok too.

Many motherboards are now fully ROHS compliant, so the question is why simply can Apple not do the same.

Maybe it will, naturally, and maybe the greenpeace meetings just reflect old info, or Apple being slow to transition.

But since Apple sells into the UK I'd say that Apple should produce ROHS products right now, for worldwide consumption rather than compliant ones here and toxic ones elsewhere.

As such I welcome the information from Greenpeace that Apple products are lacking in this respect. To help clear their name Apple is likely to have to stick "ROHS compliant" green stickers on their boxes now.

Greenpeace seem to be using this as a platform for plugging "takeback" type schemes. In a way I don't really support those ideas. Recycling should be done when it's worthwhile to everyone (including the planet) (considering transport, energy costs of recovery etc), not because of some dumb law or political correctness. Indeed better environmental benefit would be derived from encouraging a vibrant "hand me down" RE-USE policy than takeback. Companies would rather takeback products than encourage second users because they lose the potential sale at retail price to the other consumer.

If governments really want to help they could make the manufacturer pay a cashback subsidy to second-user purchasers who really get the usefulness out of aging products.

I do agree with their obsolecense argument, and on that point, Apple can be criticised for their combo pc/screen products. What they SHOULD do is make a screen containing a place to put a MODULAR, upgradable motherboard and cpu. After a few years you should be able to swap out for a new motherboard keeping the screen.

Other obsolecense arguments eg the Ipod, might be better targetted first at the mobile phone manufacturers.

The VIA "carbon neutral" idea is better than nothing, but ignores other environmental aspects. I hate the way environmental issues are being sidelined by the emphasis solely on CO2 emissions (eg by media, politicians). This balance should be made so that issues of toxic chemicals etc retain their importance.


You're missing the point Greenpeace..
By Xenoid on 10/27/06, Rating: 0
RE: You're missing the point Greenpeace..
By IronGeek on 10/27/2006 3:03:13 AM , Rating: 1
Do you care about anything but yourself?


By lemonadesoda on 10/27/2006 6:23:50 PM , Rating: 1
Can't you read the irony? It's pretty obvious. Or do you need to look the word up in a dictionary?


By smilingcrow on 10/27/2006 3:14:37 AM , Rating: 1
I don't care. You kill yourself driving your new 6-12 cylinders car. Because I just don't care.


RE: You're missing the point Greenpeace..
By haugland on 10/27/2006 3:19:54 AM , Rating: 2
Well, good luck to you then.

This attitude will probably lead to a high exposure to dangerous chemicals, and with any luck these people will have lower fertility and thereby (in time) make it for a Darwin Award.


RE: You're missing the point Greenpeace..
By Sharky974 on 10/27/06, Rating: -1
By Korvon on 10/27/2006 11:22:12 AM , Rating: 2
You have never heard of the Darwin Awards?

www.darwinawards.com


Haha, what's my line?
By Sharky974 on 10/27/2006 5:32:31 AM , Rating: 1
"I love it when two politically correct organizations clash"

Works very well here, thanks.




RE: Haha, what's my line?
By Sharky974 on 10/27/06, Rating: 0
RE: Haha, what's my line?
By therealnickdanger on 10/27/06, Rating: -1
RE: Haha, what's my line?
By rushfan2006 on 10/27/2006 12:55:35 PM , Rating: 2
Well I guess I know at least one person here who goes home kicks the family dog, then goes out and lights the woods on fire while screaming "Burn baby burn...muahahahahah"....but yeah you are right *THEY* are the whack jobs. ;)

Hang in there smilely, the world doesn't have to be so gloomy.



RE: Haha, what's my line?
By retrospooty on 10/27/2006 3:16:36 PM , Rating: 4
they won't even cover this, they'll just do another negative editorial on President Bush to avoid the conundrum.

At least they are covering what matters, and trying to out a criminal.


RE: Haha, what's my line?
By ADDAvenger on 10/29/06, Rating: 0
Once upon a farm
By MobileZone on 10/27/2006 7:59:38 AM , Rating: 4
Apple was THE company back in the early eighties, with all those cool appleIIgs, IIc, IIe and so on.

now, that Apple turned into some sort of sick religion followed by neo-yuppies, they should change their slogan from "THINK DIFFERENT" to "DON'T THINK".

That's how Macbrainwashed behave these days. They don't even think about anything else. And that's the easiest and most dangerous way to avoid a different thinking.




RE: Once upon a farm
By akugami on 10/27/2006 4:34:18 PM , Rating: 2
I admire Apple for the advancements they made for the computer industry. I used to own a Mac but haven't owned one in over 10 years. However, I'm hardly a fanatic, though I do support Apple.

The problem as I see it is that while there are many Apple zealots, I've seen just as many Microsoft zealots that are just as fanatical and any time something the least bit positive about Apple comes to light, they instantly go into rabid attack mode.

So while I don't disagree that many Apple fan(boys) can calm it down a bit, so can MS fan(boys). To me, and this is pure opinion, Mac users tend to revolve around extreme ends of the user demograph. Either users like grandma and grandpa who don't want any hassle in their computer usage and want simplicity and usability and at the other end highly creative types like graphic artists, desktop publishers and even professional movie directors and producers who don't need 50 tons of TNT exploding when a car crashes into a brick wall. There are many professional Mac users who prefer a Mac to do their jobs and who are not fanatics.

Basically, it comes down to the person. If you're an intelligent user, you use what works best for you. Regardless of whether it's the Mac or the PC (or an ATI card vs nVidia card). Nothing is more stupid than an otherwise intelligent person being a blind fanboy.


Mac Cultists
By JohnnyCNote on 10/27/2006 10:18:11 AM , Rating: 5
When I used to sell computers for the old Computer City, every so often Mac fanatics, aka "Mac Cultists", would show up and start to preach about the superiority of their chosen systems and, at times, go so far as to confront customers about why they were purchasing a Windows system.

Macintosh provided a lot of hardware to the local school system (as I recall they did all over the US),and many teachers would come to the store and complain about the lack of software and overall limitations of the Mac systems. Personally, I couldn't care less what people choose, and was more than happy to sell their products. Plus, because they tended to cost more, I'd get a better commission.

All these Mac Cultists did was make themselves appear intrusive and immature, and did little, if anything, to positively present their beloved Macs. It quite frankly wasn't any of their darn business what people chose to purchase for their own purposes.

So now they got a little taste of their own medicine. Boo-f******-hoo!

I should add that when I did Internet tech support for AT&T Broadband, the number of calls I got from Mac owners far exceeded the proportions of Macs to Windows systems. And they weren't any easier to configure. In fact, they were a real pain in the rear....




Needless...
By crystal clear on 10/27/2006 5:41:40 PM , Rating: 2
I ask a simple question

"Why Apple was target for some special treatment by Greenpeace"

"Why not all the computer manufacturers & components manufacturers"

Greenpeace can achieve their objectives via fullpage adverts or
adverts via Google on various websites or direct adverts on
websites.
They can get their message across very effectively this way.

In addition to the above they can achieve their objectives
via Govt legislations in the USA & EU & elsewhere.

In short the whole incident was rather unwanted or needless.

Computer exhibitions are serious business & anyone not involved in the computer industry should not be allowed to participate,but allowed to visit like any other person.




RE: Needless...
By MobileZone on 10/31/2006 10:14:00 AM , Rating: 2
Why Apple?

Because APPLE is the one that makes silly propaganda
telling idiots that they're the COOL ONE and that all other competitors are fat capitalist businessmen.

Because APPLE is the one with the CEO that used to
be a counterculture icon, marijuana smoker, fan of Joan Baez and Hare Krishna devotee.

Because APPLE is the one that is historically an enemy of large organizations, YEAH, THOSE that spells pollution to the air and to the environment.

Because APPLE is the company creating dumb marketing for stupid people.

Because APPLE is the one with the logo made of a fruit (Ironic, isn't it?)

That's because of it.

Btw, are you a Macuser?


Ha
By gramboh on 10/27/2006 1:54:14 AM , Rating: 2
This will be tough for self rightous holier-than-thou Mac zealots to swallow :)

Aren't they using RoHS for everything? Oops.




No room to talk
By FITCamaro on 10/27/2006 1:59:14 PM , Rating: 2
The only people on this planet that have any room to preach about the environment are the Amish and the few native tribes left in the world.

Greenpeace yuppies drive cars, fly in planes, etc the same as the rest of us.




MAJOR P.R. FAUX PAS
By lemonadesoda on 10/27/2006 6:32:34 PM , Rating: 2
Congratulations should go to Greenpeace and the director responsible for the event.

Greenpeace's SOLE PURPOSE is to be active in making environmental issues aware to the public.

The act of BANNING Greenpeace brought this news to us and to many, thereby helping them achieve their objectives, which is, that WE are more informed, and will make active choices in the future. Even if this active choice is nothing more than sharing the story with someone at the bar. It's guerilla.

Remember when the Frenchies sunk the Rainbow Warrior in 1985? I was just a very young kid, and at the time had no idea what Greenpeace was all about. But the media attention of the sinking sure turned things around.

(If you dont know about the Rainbow Warrior, then you'd better google it).

I guess the important question is not so much about Apple subcontracting to OEMs, but whether they have a duty to check the quality and conditions of their OEM parts.

They say they do. It's part of their public strategy. Just like "BODY SHOP". And therefore, they really should be doing a better job.

If their PR was clever, they could say that the culprit parts came from SONY. LOL. (Just joking, but I know you like that one! ;-).




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