Apple MacBook Air wins Greenpeace's approval

Not just a load of hot air, it seems

By James Sherwood • Get more from this author

19th January 2008 10:02 GMT

Apple has finally scored a few positive points from Greenpeace. The environmental organisation has given the MacBook Air a thumbs up for its eco-friendly qualities.

Apple's MacBook Air: green

Despite the company previously receiving an uncomplimentary environmental score from Greenpeace, the campaigner claimed that Apple's on the right path with the Air. It said the super-thin laptop is a strong entry in the race to build a green PC, helped by Apple's decision not to include the environmentally damaging chemicals mercury and arsenic.

The campaigner even said that the Air exceeds limitations on the use of certain chemicals put in place by Europe's Reduction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) directive.

Although Greenpeace noted that Sony first achieved the use of a motherboard without either PVC or Brominated Flame Retardants (BFRs) in the circuitry last year, it nonetheless commended Apple on its similar manufacturing process for the Air.

However, Apple still has some way to go before it wins any awards from Greenpeace. The campaigner states that the Air isn't 100 per cent free of PVC and BFR chemicals in other areas, and that the MacBook maker needs to make the Air's environmentally friendly qualities a running theme throughout its entire hardware range.

The MacBook Air's best, and worst, features are discussed here.