Written by Melanie Kozlan, Four Green Steps

Enraged environmentalists in China have accused Apple of environmental abuse to their country claiming the technology company has been a source of pollution. A 46-page report claims Apple has been trying to hide their environmental damage to nearby communities of their suppliers in China.

From the Huffington Post Green:

Toxic discharges from "suspected Apple suppliers" have been encroaching on local communities and environments, a coalition of environmental organizations said on Wednesday in a 46-page report alleging efforts to conceal pollution.

Widespread environmental degradation has accompanied China's breakneck economic growth, and the government has been criticized for failing to take steps to curb pollution.

"The large volume of discharge in Apple's supply chain greatly endangers the public's health and safety," said the report, issued on the website of the Beijing-based Institute of Public and Environmental Affairs (www.ipe.org.cn).

The report alleges that 27 suspected Apple suppliers had severe pollution problems, from toxic gases to heavy metal sludge. In one case, the report said, a nearby village experienced a "phenomenal rise in cases of cancer." MORE

Image courtesy of Creative Commons.

| More...