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Why the Poisoned Apple? Lets learn from the Shakers

Given its commitment to incredible industrial design, its a real shame that Apple doesn’t appear to be showing any leadership on green issues in product development. According to Techworld, a Computerworld publication:

Greenpeace has slammed Apple’s iPhone, saying it includes toxic chemicals that other mobile phone makers have already stopped using.

An analysis of a disassembled iPhone by an independent lab in the UK found toxic brominated compounds and hazardous PVC (polyvinyl chloride) in multiple components of the handsets. Bromine, a chemical used in fire-retardant compounds, was present in more than half the 18 samples taken, Greenpeace claimed, while toxic phthalates made up 1.5 percent of the ear bud cables’ PVC coating.

While the iPhone doesn’t violate EU chemicals legislation Apple is evidently well behind more established players such as Nokia, Motorola and Sony-Ericcson, which are all now PVC free. So let me get this straight- Apple came dead last in a recent Greenpeace study on PC manufacture, and now it is lagging in mobile phones too. Is this a Greenpeace vendetta or does Apple have systemic problems to address? Given that California-based Center for Environmental Health is now taking legal action against the company it’s somewhat harder for Apple to shrug the accusations off.

I have a two year old son, ergo no more Apple products until the company gets its act together. I know the firm’s product’s are gorgeous and very easy to use but its surely time for the company to make its beauty more than skin deep.

“Do your work as though you had a thousand years to live and as if you were to die tomorrow.”

The Shakers, a Protestant sect, had the most incredible design culture. Folks like Frank Lloyd Wright took design cues from the group. One thing that defined its furniture was that the joinery was just as attractive inside as out. As Shakers see it God sees the inside, not just the outside, of the furniture, which has obvious implications for quality and craftsmanship. According to Wikipedia:

Shakers designed their furniture with care, believing that making something well was in itself, “an act of prayer.” They never fashioned items with elaborate details or extra decorations, but only made things for their intended uses.

Am I saying Apple needs to discover Shaker religion? Obviously not. But a commitment to sustainability and clean manufacture and disposal would benefit us all. As fake Steve Jobs would say: “Namaste”. But not before calling Greenpeace a bunch of “fscktards”…