In 2007, Apple shareholders voted on a proposal to eliminate persistent and Bioaccumulative toxic chemicals, speed up the phase-out of toxic chemicals such as Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and Brominated flame retardants (BFRs), and adopt a stronger e-waste "take-back" and recycling program.Dalrymple, Jim, Environmental issues on Apple shareholder agenda, Macworld, MacCentral, March 22, 2007. Accessed March 26, 2012. Shortly afterwards, Steve Jobs published an open letter claiming that "Apple is ahead of, or will soon be ahead of, most of its competitors in these areas".
