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Apple's Chinese Suppliers Accused of Causing Significant Environmental Damage

Posted by Unknown on from the spoonfull-of-mercury dept.

itwbennett writes "Environmental watchdog groups in China on Wednesday released a report detailing a 5-month investigation on electronic suppliers that they believe are used by Apple. According to the report, accessory manufacturer Kaedar Electronics and printed circuit board maker Unimicron have allegedly been discharging waste water and harmful gas from their plants in the Chinese city of Kunshan. The report claims that over a 10-year period, 'many people have fallen sick, with a sharp increase in the village's cancer rates.' Since 2007, more than nine people have suffered or died from cancer in the village, which has a population of fewer than 60. Apple declined to say if the companies named were in fact its suppliers, but company spokeswoman Carolyn Wu, responding to the report, said, 'Apple is committed to driving the highest standards of social responsibility throughout our supply base.'"

7 of 346 comments (clear)

  1. Low prices or pollution in China. by Kenja · · Score: 5, Insightful

    American consumers have made their choice a long time ago.

    --

    "Have you ever thought about just turning off the TV, sitting down with your kids, and hitting them?"
    1. Re:Low prices or pollution in China. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Insightful

      Low prices or pollution in China

      I think you meant to say "High prices or pollution in China"

    2. Re:Low prices or pollution in China. by jgagnon · · Score: 5, Insightful

      Low prices or pollution in China..

      With Apple you get high prices AND pollution in China. :p

      --
      Remember to maintain your supply of /facepalm oil to prevent chafing.
    3. Re:Low prices or pollution in China. by Archangel+Michael · · Score: 5, Interesting

      Well, the problem is, when it IS cheaper to build somewhere else because you don't have to worry about pesky things like child labor, and environmental issues, then yeah. It is HARD to IMPOSSIBLE to compete when the playing field is not level. THIS is why everyone left for China.

      And you can thank all the people who wanted to normalize relations and "free" trade with China. Both (R) and (D) parties are to blame here, because both don't give a real shit about LIBERTY. Mainly because they don't understand Liberty and are mired in Group Politics and class warfare debates, while liberties are being systematically removed.

      To fix this problem, we have to DEMAND that imported goods are manufactured under the same rules and regulations required by US law, and charge import duties or refuse entry for all products that do not comply with US Law. Fair Trade, not Free Trade. We cannot impose our laws on others, we can only enforce them at our borders.

      And, if YOU are not willing to demand such action, then you cannot complain about the results such as the one mentioned in the article. People are buying from China (and other places) and when people do, they're part of the problem. There is no way a US manufacturer can make a product in the US, and compete against low wage, lax environmental laws and lack of regulation.

      You want to fix the problem fix the two party system that enables it.

      --
      Agent K: A *person* is smart. People are dumb, stupid, panicky animals, and you know it.
    4. Re:Low prices or pollution in China. by fafaforza · · Score: 5, Insightful

      The problem is that you can't really buy a computer without many of the same companies being involved. So whatever system you buy instead is likely no better as far as environmental impact.

    5. Re:Low prices or pollution in China. by kelemvor4 · · Score: 5, Insightful

      Same thing goes for all Apple products. Apple is well known for having extremely high prices.

      And, very high customer satisfaction. Coincidence? I think not.

      I very much agree that the two are related. I'm sure I'll get modded down for elaborating, but I think Apple's success is very much like Prada's. Ownership of an Apple product is more about status than it is about what the product does. Prada handbags offer inferior storage and configuration to cheap competing bags, even ones manufactured from the same materials yet people (the ones who can afford to do it) still shell out the cash for a Prada handbag instead of going to another brand and paying a fraction of the price. In fact, the price its-self is part of the allure.

  2. Re:Apple cares only about profit by Tsingi · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Apple doesn't care about the planet or slave labor so long as they can make a profit. That has been the goal of Apple since Steve took over, and that's part of the reason I don't buy Apple.

    A good and proper reason to boycott a corporation. The problem is ALL corporations are like that, you have to get your hardware somehow, so bending your principles with Apple or some other equally guilty company is six of one...