Apple goes on green offensive

A strong sign that Apple is committed to becoming green, according to Hind, would be to have a clean Mac on the market ahead of schedule.

"The most important thing Apple could do is put a product free of PVC and BFRs in the next year," he said. "The other big step they can take is in taking back computers."

Hind explained that Apple needs to expand its recycling programme beyond parts of the world that require it.

He also stated that Apple needs to pay careful attention to the companies that handle the recycling.

Such companies can find ways to work around Apple's rule of not exporting recycled materials and send hazardous components to landfills in the developing world.

Hind also balked at the seven-year system for measuring the total amount of recycled material.

"That is an optimistic figure because computers and mobile phones have seen their life spans cut in half in the past 10 years," he noted.

"My daughter had an iBook, and it did not last her seven years. It did not even last her through college."

Hind admitted that Greenpeace is especially hard on Apple, and that the group is making an extra effort to get Apple to go green because it is seen as a trend-setter in the industry.

"We want Apple more than anyone to be a leader," he said. "We frankly think that given Apple's leadership in innovation, if it is not a leader here, it is conspicuously absent."