Apple addresses environmental concerns

APPLE   POLLUTION

China - Apple has responded to the criticism from environmental campaigners by holding a meeting with five Chinese environmental groups, following their report accusing the brand of pollution.

"This was the first time that they sat down with all five of us to discuss the report, so this was a step forward," a campaigners Ma Jun said, adding however that Apple has refused to identify its Chinese suppliers in a bid to evade investigations.

"So we don't know the names of the 15 companies and we can't verify the steps they are making to curb pollution," Ma said in an article by AFP.

The report revealed that Chinese manufacturing companies for Apple had been discharging toxic chemicals into the local rivers.

Apple had previously confirmed two of its suppliers in China - Taiwanese manufacturers Foxconn and WinTek. The Foxconn plant saw a series of employee suicides related to tough working conditions, while the workers at the WinTek plant suffered "adverse health effects" due to the exposure of a chemical substance.

"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," spokeswomen Carolyn Wu said.

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