| Coalition Presses Al Gore To Raise the “Inconvenient Truth” at Apple Shareholder Meeting
 A coalition of over 70 environmental, and consumer groups and other activists are asking former Vice President and Apple Board member Al Gore to publicly support two Apple shareholder resolutions on protecting the environment, and to help lead Apple to improve its environmental record. The coalition includes the Computer TakeBack Campaign, Greenpeace, Consumers Union, Friends of the Earth, National Environmental Trust, and Clean Water Action.
While Apple has indicated that the Board of Directors has "unanimously" voted to oppopse these resolutions, it's not clear whether Vice President Gore participated in that vote. We are encouraging Mr. Gore, who has shown vital leadership on the crucial issue of global warming, to help Apple become a leader on environmental issues.
Apple Opposes Modest Shareholder Resolutions
Takeback Resolution. As You Sow, a non-profit that represents shareholders who promote corporate social responsibility, has filed a shareholder resolution calling on Apple to simply study how to improve its takeback program. While Apple did launch a free takeback program last year (after CTBC pressure to do so) the program is not very user friendly and needs to be improved and made more visible by Apple. For example Apple's free program is only available to customers who buy from Apple directly (not through resellers), and who request this at the time of purchase. To use it, you must ship back your old system within 30 days of receiving Apple's email authorizing free takeback.
Green Design Resolution. Trillium Asset Management has filed an Apple shareholder resolution asking Apple to do a study on how it can become a leader in phasing out toxic materials from its products
What Do We Want From Apple?
Both Greenpeace and the Computer TakeBack Campaign have been pressing Apple for three primary changes:
- Improve the company’s takeback and recycling program from its current modest level to a first class program
- Stop lobbying against producer responsibility e-waste recycling legislation in the States.
- Lead the electronics industry in green design, including phasing out toxic materials in their products
Apple Campaign Timeline
| Sept 2004 |
Computer TakeBack Campaign (CTBC) contacts Apple for meeting about takeback program. No response. |
| January 2005 |
CTBC launches public Apple campaign at MacWorld convention in San Francisco - highlighting iPod's short lifespan and disposability
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| Jan 31, 2005 |
CTBC sends another letter to Steve Jobs, requesting meeting. |
| April 2005 |
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| CTBC releases our own un-Apple annual report at the Apple Shareholder Meeting in Cupertino. Steve Jobs has angry outburst at Shareholder meeting when questioned about environmental concerns. |
| June 2005 |
Apple announces it will take back just iPods for free recycling at Apple Stores, and offer discounts towards new purchases. |
| June 2005 |
ComputerTakeBack's Banner Flying where Steve Jobs is Commencement Speech at Stanford University: "Steve, Don't Be A Mini-Player. Recycle all E-waste.
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| Fall 2005 |
Steve Jobs received hundreds of letters, postcards, faxes from around the US urging Apple to create complete takeback program |
| Nov 2005 |
As You Sow files shareholder resolution for a study on how Apple can improve takeback program (for April 2006 vote) |
| March 2006 |
Apple lobbies against producer takeback bill in Washington State (later passed and signed by Governor) |
| April 2006 |
CTBC, As You Sow, and representatives of other investment firms meet with Vice President Al Gore (Apple Board Member) to discuss Apple's performance on takeback, green design, and refusal to talk to stakeholders about environmental issues Mr. Gore asks that meeting be kept confidential, but agrees to discuss issues internally with Apple, and meet again after board meeting.
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| April 2006 |
Apple announces it will launch new, free takeback program in June |
| June 2006 |
Apple launches new takeback program - free to customers buying directly from Apple. |
| Summer, Fall 2006 |
Mr. Gore refuses repeated requests for follow up meetings about Apple issues |
| Summer 2006 |
Greenpeace launches "Green My Apple" campaign |
| Nov 2006 |
As You Sow files shareholder resolution on takeback again. Trillium Asset Management files resolution on toxic materials. |
| Jan 2007 |
Requests from As You Sow and CTBC to meet with Mr Gore. |
| Feb 22, 2007 |
Letter to Vice President from CTBC asks for meeting or we can no longer honor request to keep last year's meeting "private." [Letter delivered in person to Gore's Nashville office.]
Gore aide says he is too busy, won't give meeting
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| March 9, 2007 |
CTBC sends letter to Steve Jobs outlining areas of concern and request for dialogue. No response. |
| March 13, 2007 |
Apple releases opposition statement to both shareholder resolutions, indicating that Apple Board has voted unanimously to oppose resolutions. |
| March 16 |
Apple lobbies against producer responsibility bill in Connecticut. |
| March 26, 2007 |
CTBC, Greenpeace and over 70 organizations and activists sign letter to Gore requesting him NOT to support Apple in opposing shareholder resolutions. Statements released to press. |
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Apple Shareholder meeting not yet scheduled - it's usually late April. |
Why we're talking about Apple
 The iLife isn't quite as harmonious as it seems. Lurking underneath Apple's beautifully designed digital music players and computers are poisonous chemicals like lead and mercury that can cause birth defects and disabilities. When the millions of Apple's obsolete computers and other electronic products hit the landfills and incinerators, millions of pounds of toxic lead and other highly toxic materials will be dumped into our air, land, and water. Apple should live up to its ethical reputation and take leadership to stop the growing mountain of toxic electronic waste from poisoning our families and communities. It should develop the best recycling system for its used machines and build cleaner and safer electronic products.
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