Apple bites back

In an open letter last week on apple.com, Steve Jobs defended the environmental record for electronics giant Apple but acknowledged a failure to publicize the strides he claims puts the company ahead of most of its competitors.

The CEO then went on to outline specific examples of his promises for “a greener Apple”—touting the company’s compliance with toxic-substances restrictions set forth by the European Union, as well as reductions in lead use, and announcing plans for increased recycling programs and the elimination of arsenic in most products.

In closing, he said the company will now provide updates on its environmental efforts on an annual basis. Apple is also looking at the energy efficiency and carbon footprint of its products.

Recent criticism by environmental groups such as Greenpeace appears to have been the impetus for the five-page document signed by Jobs.