Green my Apple returns to Mac Expo
Despite being evicted yesterday from Mac Expo we returned today undeterred from our mission to spread the word for a Greener Apple and get Mac users involved to help change Apple for the better.
Not being allowed inside meant we handed out our information to visitors outside the venue tube station and on the pavement outside the venue. Several Mac fans showed their wholehearted support by giving our green version of the Mac Guy a hug. Several young Mac fans leaving the Expo took a t-shirt to spread the word for a Greener Apple at their next destination the Regents Street Apple store. I wonder if they will be allowed in?
Several journalists were interested why we were evicted yesterday and who would want us out of the Expo. One Italian journalist took our t-shirt to wear inside but was refused entry by security unless he changed his shirt. Seems they are really determined to not let even journalists or members of the public in with a Green my Apple t-shirt. What a shame it appears that no one is allowed to have a Green my Apple t-shirt in a Mac Expo?
At one point some plain clothes and uniform police arrived to say the organisers had called the police to claim we where throwing apples at passers by of course this was obviously not true. After a friendly chat the officers left with an organic apple and wondering who had called them and wasted their time.
To satisfy my curiosity of what had happen to our expensive stall I changed out of my t-shirt to take a look inside the Expo that I wasnt allowed to be at. One nice woman handing out MacWorld materials who I had chatted to yesterday at the stall was disappointed we had been thrown out, its such a shame that a stall with a positive message for a Greener Apple had been chucked out. Ahame it seems Apple really doesnt want the sort of editorial that appears in this edition of Mac User magazine in support of the campaign. Our stall was looking very sad and empty.
Mac World published an article yesterday quoting only the Chief of Expo Security on why he evicted us. Unfortunately the article didnt have our side of the story but I hear Mac World will be doing a follow up with our perspective on the Expo events.
In the afternoon we departed by tube, along with our Green Mac Guy who again caused much interest. In the 5 min tube ride, 3 more Mac Expo visitors asked about our Green Mac guy and left the tube giving the campaign the thumbs up. Never let a chance to get the message out pass you by, I say!
Maybe next time it will be an Apple exec on the tube, I wonder if Steve ever rides the tube?
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Comments
The nicest email I got today was from an organiser of a Mac fair in California who after reading about us being evicted from Mac Expo has offered us a free stand at Macfair.org in California.
"As an Apple user and show producer, I am sorry for the treatment that you have received. I would like to extend to Greenpesce on behalf of the SoCal MacFair a FREE booth at this years event."
OK, so it's not as big as MacWorld Expo but a great chance to reach more Apple users. We hope to be able to take up his kind offer.
tom
Posted by: tomD | October 27, 2006 7:41 PM
I had looked at the greenmyapple website prior to visiting macexpo this year. Although the site is thought provoking I can not help but wonder why Greenpeace are attacking Apple and not some of the other computer manufacturers. As a recent Apple convert I have found that older equipment functions well with modern operating systems making the machine much more usuable over a longer period of time. This should help reduce waste. All computers use components that are potentially toxic if not recycled properly and Apple is no exception but also not the worst. I know, as an ICT professional, that disposing of old computer equipment is a significant problem to businesses and individuals. What Greenpeace should be doing is putting pressure on the government to implement the WEEE directive and give us proper recycling facilities as well as encouraging manufacturers like Apple to provide proper end of life programs. Apple are making many moves to helping the environment, their packaging for example is some of the smallest and greenest I have seen in the IT trade using no Polystyrene and minimalist box sizes for all products.
It was a shame that MacExpo organisers decided Greenpeace had to leave the expo. I was not there on Thursday but activists outside the tube on Friday were well behaved and polite. If they were the same inside then it would appear that the expo organisers made an error of judgement but I couldnt comment as I have no evidence.
So, my question is simple, why Apple and not Dell? Apple has a small share of the market but a high profile, is this the reason?
Your iPod argument does not hold water, iPod batteries can be replaced cost effectively by Apple and old batteries disposed of properly. I agree Apple could make this clearer, but we all have a responsibility to respect the environment through our actions not just one manufacturers responsibility. That is why I drive an LPG car, have an eco friendly electricity supplier, have all the insulation in my house I can and use energy saving bulbs in every room. Just because I have 3 Macs does not mean to say I dont think about the environmental future - dont brand us all the same way please Greenpeace.
John
Posted by: John Sammons | November 1, 2006 11:33 PM
Hello John
Here are some answers to your questions. Why Apple and not Dell? We rated the top 14 computer and mobile companies on the criteria of toxic chemical phase out and global product takeback. No company was perfect, but Dell and Nokia got 7/10. Apple only got 2.7.
For a company that is an industry leader on design and innovation 2.7 is a pretty poor score. Yes other companies score badly, but Lenovo and Acer are not companies that lead the electronic sector, Apple does.
Apple should be a green leader, not behind HP and Dell. Mac users care about their Macs much more than say your average Dell user. Also Mac users are probably on average more environmentally aware then your average computer user. Combine these factors and you've got a powerful force to push Apple to be a true environmental leader.
It's definitely not the idea to just bash Apple or shame Mac users like yourself to use a different computer. If enough concerned Mac users press Apple for green change it will be a win-win situation. Mac fans will be able to be even more proud of their next greener Mac, Apple can exploit their new image as the greenest computer maker and we can then pressure others like Dell and HP to match the new green Apple standard.
tom
Posted by: Tom | November 2, 2006 1:58 PM