U.K. lawmakers are criticizing Apple’s sustainability efforts after the company failed to appear before an environmental committee to answer questions about e-waste.
Reportedly, Apple CEO Tim Cook failed to respond by a Sept. 4 deadline from the House of Common’s Environmental Audit Committee. The committee initially invited Apple to put forth representatives for a hearing in July, but it canceled on short notice.
Environmental Audit Committee Chairman Philip Dunne said in a statement to Bloomberg that Apple’s “unwillingness to answer [the] committee’s questions has led us to believe its environmental obligations are not taken seriously enough.”
That’s despite the fact that the Cupertino tech giant “appears to have a positive story to tell regarding its efforts on climate change,” Dunne added.
The committee is specifically seeking answers regarding the steps Apple is taking to minimize it e-waste footprint — particularly since Apple has sold more than two billion iPhones. Dunne the difficulty and cost of repairing electronic devices has created a “throwaway society.”
In its 2020 Environmental Progress Report, Apple said that its device recycling programs have directed 47,000 metric tons of e-waste away from landfills in 2019. It also touted its efforts in materials, disassembly, and recycling in general.