Prince McLeanThrilled with recent disclosures by Apple chief executive Steve Jobs on the company's plans for a greener future, Trillium Asset Management is retracting a previously filed resolution that would have pressured the Mac maker into releasing a corporate environmental report as part of its impending shareholders meeting.
"With Apple's announced plan to eliminate BFRs and PVC in 2008 they have addressed the most specific issue raised by our resolution," Shelley Alpern, Vice President of Trillium Asset Management, wrote in a statement provided to AppleInsider. "Now, we're looking forward to seeing Apple move from aspiration to implementation, as its new, less toxic products enter the marketplace over the next year."
Apple's stated plan to rid its goods of BFRs and PVCs next year puts it well ahead of rival Dell, which by contrast has said it will not completely eliminate those chemicals from its personal computers until some time in 2009.
"Apple’s announcement makes its chemical policies far more transparent,†added Sanford Lewis, attorney and author of the Trillium resolution. "As a longtime Apple user myself, I'm looking forward to obtaining a greener Apple just as soon as they're available."
Lewis remarked that the company’s next frontiers will be to reinforce the steps announced by Jobs on Wednesday, with a "commitment to eliminate all persistent and bioaccumulative toxic chemicals" and to adopt the "precautionary principle" as an operative principle of design.
Trillium, which holds approximately $5.3 million in Apple shares, is a member of the Investor Environmental Health Network — a group of financial managers and advisors who are actively monitoring the risks and opportunities posed by toxic chemicals in products of their portfolio companies.
While the firm's safer materials resolution continues to appear on the Apple proxy ballot, Trillium said it no longer intends to present the resolution at the company's May 10 shareholder meeting.
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14 Comments
This makes it easier for me. Now I won't have to vote, which is good as my wife tore the proxy up already as she always does, since I never vote on these things.
What does one expect from a company named after a plant.
I wonder how long before computer products are required to carry labels indicating their 'green' rating with regards to materials used.
I wonder how long before computer products are required to carry labels indicating their 'green' rating with regards to materials used.
I think the EPA should consider this style of branding. It worked for monitors. In less than 1 buying season everyone was selling an EnergyStar certified monitor. Once there is some teeth to the certification then, it might have meaning. But, very quickly, every one had EnergyStar rated monitors.... They are on refrigerators and air conditioners. Computers and TVs are now the next most power hungry device in the home.
Guilt seems to be a good motivator. Just ask the Pope. But I'd like to have the information to at least be given the choice.
I think the EPA should consider this style of branding. It worked for monitors. In less than 1 buying season everyone was selling an EnergyStar certified monitor. Once there is some teeth to the certification then, it might have meaning. But, very quickly, every one had EnergyStar rated monitors.... They are on refrigerators and air conditioners. Computers and TVs are now the next most power hungry device in the home.
Guilt seems to be a good motivator. Just ask the Pope. But I'd like to have the information to at least be given the choice.
I think the Fujitsu computers has an internal Green Product standard that they apply to their own products and sells a Green PC...in Europe anyway. Looks like sales in the US are so minimal you have to call Fujitsu US directly to get some.
Vinea