The iPhone: A new Target for Greenpeace

Aiming to surf on the buzz wave surrounding the iPhone, Greenpeace decided to target the new Apple product for its campaign to ban hazardous chemicals in consumer electronics.
If the article is interesting, and points to some problems, Greenpeace is unfair by arguing that the iPhone was the first model release by Apple after Steve Jobs' letter announcing a "Greener Apple". The MacBook Pro featuring LED-backlighting was this new greener product. The new iPods are manufactured with fewer components, making them easier to disassemble and recycle.
As we reported before, the presence of brominated flame retardants (BFRs) is not a problem by itself as it depends on the chemical being used (some begin banned in Europe, other being authorized). However, Greenpeace is right when spotting that phthalates were found in PVC plastic of headphones: such chemicals are toxic, and being present in plastic being on direct contact with your skin makes them dangerous for no reason. In addition, there are no needs to still use PVC in today's consumer electronics. Greenpeace was also right when claiming that the iPhone's battery being soldered to the handset it makes it difficult for disassembling, appropriate disposal and recycling.

With Al Gore sitting on Apple's Board, and Steve Jobs openly calling for a greener Apple, we should expect a quick answer from Cupertino.
Apple will have to address the following point:

Nokia and Sony Ericsson have a global take-back policy for their phones and accept responsibility for reuse and recycling of phones they manufacture. That saves resources and helps prevent old phones from adding to the mountain of e-waste that has been dumped in Asia.
Apple does not have a global free take-back policy so the eventual fate of the between four and 10 million iPhones expected to be sold in its first year is uncertain.

If Apple was among the first computer company to launch a take-back program for computers (being Pc or Macs), Cupertino did not make any announcement regarding iPods disposal yet.