CleanTech OC Daily - 7/11/12

Apple chooses design over recyclability. Will anyone notice?
Apple has parted ways with the standards group EPEAT (Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool), which is responsible for rating the recyclability of electronics products. The move means that 39 Macs, MacBooks and monitors that were previously EPEAT certified as “causing minimal environmental damage and promoting maximum recyclability,” will no longer have the group’s stamp of approval.

Q2 2012 Cleantech Investment Falls to $1.6B

Cleantech investment has dropped to $1.6 billion in the second quarter of 2012. That is down 14% from $1.9 billion in the first quarter and 25% down from the $2.1 billion invested in the second quarter of 2011. While the Cleantech Group’s report from Tuesday was grim, they noted some good news including water, agriculture and resource management, that all seem to be poised for success.

Mitsubishi to Offer Plug-In Option on Every Model within Four Years

In a recent bold move, Mitsubishi plans to offer either an electric-only or plug-in hybrid version of every vehicle in its model range within four years. Steps have already been made toward this goal with the release of the 2012 i-MiEV electric minicar and a plug-in hybrid version of the Outlander SUV is scheduled for release this fall. If successful, Mitsubishi will become the first major automaker to complete a full transition to electric power.