Until now the Guide has ranked companies' policies and practices
on toxic chemicals and electronic-waste (e-waste), future editions
will see the criteria expanded to include energy consumption, as
well as, tightened criteria on toxic chemicals and e-waste (2).
Since the Guide was first launched in August 2006, most of the
brands have risen to the challenges on toxic chemicals and e-waste
set by Greenpeace. It is now time to take the next step.
The electronic industry must address the environmental impact of
its operations and products on the climate as well as toxic
chemicals and e-waste. Greenpeace will rank brands against new
energy criteria to encourage the industry to reduce its carbon
footprint (3).
"Most electronics brands are rising to the toxic chemical and
e-waste challenge issued by the Greenpeace guide. It is now time to
raise the bar and challenge the industry to take a holistic
approach to its' practices and operations, companies have to take
responsibility for the entire lifecycle of their products - from
production, through manufacture and to the very end of their
products' lives." said Iza Kruszewska, Greenpeace International
Toxics Campaigner.
Samsung's consistency in their practises and policies kept the
company score stable, while Toshiba climbed from the sixth spot by
improving its score on Individual Producer Responsibility, whereby
each company takes care of the electronic waste from its
own-branded discarded products (3). Philips, Panasonic and Sharp
continue to ignore their responsibility for e-waste arising from
their products.
Improvement in Motorola's takeback and recycling operations in
the Philippines, Thailand and India, moved the company up from 14th
to 12th position. Nokia failed to improve recycling services in
India and Russia, so the penalty point remains in place, keeping
Nokia off the top spot.
Nintendo managed a paltry score of 0.3 based on its chemicals
management policy but scored zero for all other criteria.
"The challenge is clear, to be truly green, the IT industry
needs to commit to designing products that are free of toxic
chemicals, are energy efficient, durable and recyclable while
taking full responsibility for them globally, including when they
become waste", concluded Iza Kruszewska.
Other contacts: Omer Elnaiem, Greenpeace International Communications, mobile + 31 6 1509 3589Iza Kruszewska, Greenpeace International Toxics Campaigner, mobile: +44 7801 212 992Zeina Al-Hajj, Greenpeace International Toxics Campaign Coordinator, mobile +31 653128904
Notes: (1) The seventh edition of the Greenpeace Guide to Greener Electronics can be found at: http://www.greenpeace.org/greenerelectronics(2) More detailed information on the new ranking criteria can be found at: http://www.greenpeace.org/electronicscriteriasummary(3) The global information and communications technology (ICT) industry accounts for approximately 2 percent of global carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, a figure equivalent to aviation, according to a new estimate by Gartner, Inc.(4) This is a result of Toshiba joining brands like, Samsung, Sony and LGE to leave the Electronic Manufacturers’ Coalition for Responsible Recycling, a US-based lobby group which does not support Producer Responsibility for e-waste generated by electronic products, but is demanding that consumers pay ARFs (Advanced Recycling Fees).(5) Check out our blog for more on greener electronics: http://www.greenpeace.org/electronicsblog