Chinese environmental groups have accused Apple suppliers of systemic pollution, underscoring both the pressures on one of the world’s biggest companies and growing concern in China about how economic growth is damaging the environment.
In a report on Wednesday, five Chinese non-governmental organisations said the US tech company was using suppliers with public records of environmental violations and taking “advantage of the loopholes in developing countries’ environmental management systems”.
The accusations escalate a stand-off between Apple and Ma Jun, director of the Institute of Public & Environmental Affairs, a co-author of the report.