Apple Ranks Last for Environmental Response

A report (Chinese only) by the Beijing-based non-profit Institute of Public and Environmental Affairs (IPE) ranked Apple last among 29 tech companies for their responsiveness to health and environmental concerns in China.

The report says that Apple ignored concerns at Wintek, the touch-screen factory where plant workers became ill from n-hexane exposure, and the IPE said Apple has not acknowledged Wintek as a supplier. Wintek eventually removed the substance after being sued by workers, Cnet said.

via Environmental Leader.

China plans to monitor firms’ environment impact

SHANGHAI : China said it will require listed firms in polluting industries to publish environmental impact reports annually as the government steps up efforts to hit an energy efficiency target.

The requirement will apply to 16 industries including thermal power, steel, cement, coal and mining, the Ministry of Environmental Protection said in a statement posted on its website Tuesday.

Listed companies in these sectors will also be required to disclose details of environmental accidents within a day.

via Channel NewsAsia – China plans to monitor firms’ environment impact – channelnewsasia.com.

The Singapore Sand Smugglers

The causeway linking Singapore to the southern tip of the Malaysian peninsula is normally clogged with cars and trucks making the short international journey, but things got particularly bad on Feb. 1, when traffic came to a grinding halt. Thirty-seven trucks were abandoned where they stood on the Malaysian side, just yards away from a customs checkpoint, their drivers having simply walked away. Upon further investigation, it was discovered that they were carrying an illegal substance — but not drugs, illegal migrants, or precious jewels. They were carrying sand.

via Foreign Policy.