Apple, China groups meet to discuss environmental concerns

Environmental concerns continue to plague Apple and its suppliers in China. Earlier this year, Apple was singled out in an environmental report called "The Other Side of Apple," which detailed health, environment and safety issues at Chinese manufacturing facilities. Apple met with some of its green critics over the summer, but its practices are still under fire.

Apple reportedly met this week again with nine representatives from five Chinese environmental groups to discuss pollution from its suppliers. Apple supposedly admitted that some of its suppliers were accused of excessive pollution, but put the blame on the offending companies and not Apple itself.

According to Li Li, the director of EnviroFriends, Apple said "it had already spoken to 11 supply firms and asked them to reform, and they're in the process of initiating communications with the other four." Despite this effort, Li believed Apple was not sincere in its efforts to curb pollution. Not everyone was negative towards Apple's response, though. Notable Chinese environmentalist Ma Jun said Apple's efforts were "a major step forward."

Apple has not commented on this latest meeting, but did issue a statement to the Wall Street Journal through Spokesperson Carolyn Wu. Apple reiterated what it has said in the past, "Apple is committed to driving the highest standards of social responsibility throughout our supply chain. We require that our suppliers provide safe working conditions, treat workers with dignity and respect, and use environmentally responsible manufacturing processes wherever Apple products are made."