Apple changes mind on 'green' program

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CUPERTINO, Calif., July 13 (UPI) -- Apple says it is reversing its decision not to submit its electronic devices for green certification, calling its original choice "a mistake."

Apple announced Friday it would resume submitting its products for EPEAT certification, CNN reported.

"We've recently heard from many loyal Apple customers who were disappointed to learn that we had removed our products from the EPEAT rating system," Bob Mansfield, Apple's senior vice president for hardware engineering, said in a statement. "I recognize that this was a mistake. Starting today, all eligible Apple products are back on EPEAT."

The international group's ratings, primarily a measure of a product's recyclability and energy efficiency, are used by some governments to determine which gadgets are environmentally friendly enough to be bought with public money.

Apple would not discuss why it had pulled out of the certification system, although it has been widely rumored the company's new line of MacBook Pro laptops might be too difficult to recycle to earn the certification, CNN said.

Unlike in previous models, the battery of the newest MacBook Pro with Retina Display laptops is glued to the metal case, possible making recycling a challenge.