Apple Suppliers in China Accused of Environmental Pollution

A Chinese non-governmental organization has branded?Apple Inc. a major?contributors to the country's environmental pollution.

The Institute of Public and Environmental Affairs, based in Beijing, criticized Apple and its Chinese suppliers for "discharging polluted waste and toxic metals" into communities surrounding its factories, reported The New York Times.

In a 46-page report, released Wednesday, the group chronicled how Apple's?suppliers cause pollution and threaten public health.

According to the report, which gathered data during a seventh-month investigation, the Apple suppliers "failed to properly dispose of hazardous waste," and 27?of them were found to be responsible for environmental problems.

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"For example, the Meiko Electronics (Guangzhou Nansha) Co Ltd has been penalized for more than 10 environmental violations in recent months," according to the report.

Apple in China

Apple's products have always been widely popular?in China. But the company's suppliers seem to be plagued by numerous challenges, adds the?Times.

Last year, one of Apple's suppliers experienced a wave of worker suicides at some of its mainland Chinese facilities. Then, in May, a plant for Apple products exploded and caught fire, killing two people and injuring more than a dozen in the city of Chengdu, in southwest China.

Again, this year, 137 workers at a Chinese factory near the city of Suzhou were injured by a toxic chemical used in making the glass screens of the iPhone.

In Apple's defence, other companies have also faced charges involving suppliers with issues including child labor and other violations. "Most experts agree that while conditions have improved at many work sites, labor violations and the discharge of toxic waste remain major problems," said The New York times.

Apple's Response

Apple says?it has been closely monitoring its supply chain factories through regular audits and?releases an annual?report? discussing problems and explaining its monitoring practices, particularly how it requires suppliers to correct violations within 90 days.

"Apple is committed to driving the highest standards of social responsibility throughout our supply chain," said Steve Dowling, a spokesman. "We require that our suppliers provide safe working conditions, treat workers with dignity and respect, and use environmentally responsible manufacturing processes wherever Apple products are made."

Apple has also proposed on Wednesday to hold a press conference with environmental protection organizations to discuss the findings about its suppliers, said the Beijing Review.com.cn

"We would be interested in hearing more specifics on what you have discovered about these suppliers," Apple's supplier responsibility department said in an e-mail?to the Institute of Public and Environmental Affairs.

Lawyers and environmental organizations have called on Apple to fully accept its social responsibilities, and establish a supply chain that?does not harm the environment.

"We believe Apple customers cannot accept the fact that these faddish gadgets are made at the cost of poisoning the environment, harming communities, and sacrificing employees' rights," said Ma Jun, director of the Institute of Public and Environmental Affairs.

Source: http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/207453/20110902/apple-suppliers-in-china-accused-of-environmental-pollution.htm

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