Greenpeace Ranks Greener Electronics

While SocialYell was happy to report last week that camera companies are finding their niche in the world of greener electronics, it appears that not everyone is following suit.  Judging from public outcry and downright disapproval with electronic giants like Hewlett-Packard and Apple that use planned obsolescence (which forces consumers to constantly spend money on upgrades), these IT companies need to step it up.  HP was most recently accused of greenwashing by a Greenpeace protest outside the company’s headquarters in Silcon Valley last week, where protesters painted “Hazardous Products” on the roof as the real “name” for HP.  If these companies continue to focus on weak green measures and strong greenwashing, they will ultimately fail in what is becoming a sustainable-friendly economy.

Are you curious about who is putting out greener electronics and who is failing miserably?  Luckily, Greenpeace has just released version 12 of their “Guide to Greener Electronics.”

“We first released our ‘Guide to Greener Electronics’ in August 2006. The guide ranks the 18 top manufacturers of personal computers, mobile phones, TV’s and games consoles according to their policies on toxic chemicals, recycling and climate change,” according to Greenpeace’s website.

Out of the 18 companies, not a single one hovers in the 8-10 range for doing well.  There is only “better” and “bad.”  The list is updated every 3 months and the companies are ranked reflecting the demands of the “Toxic Tech” campaign.  These demands include that companies “clean up their products by eliminating hazardous substances, take back and recycle their products responsibly once they become obsolete and reduce the climate impacts of their operations and products.”  This does not include labor standards, mining or other issues, although these categories are recognized as important by Greenpeace.

Nokia scored with the highest rating, 7.45 out of 10, “for leading competitors on toxic phase out, with Samsung and Sony Ericsson close behind.  However, Apple, Sony, Dell, HP, Microsoft, Lenovo and Fujitsu are in the red zone, with Nintendo at the absolute bottom of the list.  Many of these companies have been criticized for greenwashing, backing out on green commitments or just lacking toxic-free products in the first place.

To consult the full list before you head out to buy any back-to-school electronics, check out Greenpeace’s Guide to Greener Electronics.

Want to rank these companies yourself?  Join SocialYell today and yell your opinions, rate businesses and help our world to become a safer and more sustainable place.

Ashley Strickland is a senior majoring in the journalism at the University of Georgia.  She is happy that Greenpeace is putting these companies in their place.