Just how green is the Apple iPad?
By Gail Nickel-Kailing on January 27th, 2010
Obviously you’re going to hear more about the new Apple iPad than you probably want over the next few days. (OK, it’s cool!)
In the middle of all the hysteria, we need to ask a simple question: How green is the iPad, really?
Yes, we’re seeing more people moving to electronic devices instead of reading traditional print media. It’s not a “zero sum game,” both media have environmental footprints. And the environmental effects are as dependent on human behavior as on the technology.
What about the device itself? In its newest products, Apple has phased out PVC plastic and brominated flame retardants. That’s good. However batteries will have to be replaced and Apple has a take back program.
To those who have to have the latest tech gizmo and toss the old one for the next great thing within months or a year; two thumbs down! If it isn’t recycled, that means more e-waste.
We’ve been through the pixels versus paper discussion over and over. Yes, paper is made of dead trees, but those trees are more and more often from sustainably managed forests. Of course, paper CAN be recycled easily.
Much of the “gray energy” or embedded energy in an electronic gadget comes from the supply chain and manufacturing process. And we haven’t even talked about the increasing power usage in the growing number and size of data centers.
Read more detail about how eco-friendly Apple’s tablet is. And if you buy one, keep it around for awhile!
3 Responses to “Just how green is the Apple iPad?”
By matt on Jan 28, 2010 | Reply
What relevance does the green factor play in the decision to purchase an iPad? Certainly one might consider the purchase of an iPad as an e-reader and then way the green value but the ipad also represents an ipod, a netbook and a phone. In this case one must consider the green factor vs other electronics.
As long as the printing industry relies on irrelevant arguments when talking about sustainability nobody will take the printing industry seriously.
By matt on Jan 28, 2010 | Reply
I hven’t had my required caffiene yet this morning – should say “weigh” not “way” in previous comment.
As long as commenters fail to proofread their comments nobody will take them seriously.
By Kimberly on Jan 28, 2010 | Reply
This totally make sense, there are pros and cons to either using paper or electronics. I think everybody needs to stop producing things and using things for like a week to give mother nature even a small breather, but this will definitely never happen. There are other ways people can help though, here is information and different tips about using solar power and energy, and getting government incentives for different things to help the earth! http://yovia.com/blogs/SanFranciscogreensmartandsolar/