In the latest edition of the quarterly “Guide to Greener Electronics,” Greenpeace rated the top 18 consumer electronics companies according to their toxic chemical practices. “Nintendo, Microsoft and Philips flunk toxic test” is how Greenpeace summed up the results.
Nintendo has the dubious honour of being the first company to score 0/10 in the guide. Microsoft did little better, scoring only 2.7. Philips is the lowest TV-maker scoring only 2. The companies are new to the Guide so have plenty of room for improvement.
Microsoft was a new member to the guide , added as Greenpeace expanded its coverage to include game consoles vendors, alongside TVs, mobile phones and PCs makers. Greenpeace focuses on the use of toxic chemicals in the production of devices and how well companies follow their own take-back, safe disposal claims. Chemicals on the Greenpeace no-no list include vinyl plastic (PVC) and brominated flame retardants (BFRs). For its debut on the list, Microsoft landed in rank No. 16 out of 18. The report says:
The company scores points for its chemical management and for setting a timeline by which it intends to eliminate vinyl plastic (PVC) and all BFRs, but only by 2011. Microsoft scores poorly on most waste criteria, but is reporting on amounts of e-waste recycled, albeit only for Europe.
The best rating was achieved by Sony Ericsson.
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