Publication - 24 November, 2008
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Executive summary: Toshiba climbs to 3rd place with a score of 5.9, gaining extra points on the energy criteria; it is now reporting its use of renewable energy (although it needs to commit to increase this with a timeline) and providing information on the percentage of TVs on the US market that meet the Energy Star standard. It continues to report that 93% of new PC platforms developed since July 07 can be configured to meet Energy Star 4. Toshiba supports global cuts in GHG emissions and greater cuts for industrialised countries; it also scores points for disclosing greenhouse gas emissions from its own operations and committing to an absolute reduction in GHG emissions.Toshiba does well on chemicals, and gains a point for committing to introduce alternatives to phthalates, beryllium and antimony by 2012 in all its products. It has also launched models of laptops with circuit boards free from brominated flame retardants (BFRs), EcoMark-certified products without PVC, and makes other components and parts that are free from these harmful substances.The company does not do as well on e-waste; although it reports a recycling rate of 12% for a group of 5 types of products that includes TVs, PCs and 3 types of home appliances, this rate is based on current (not past) sales and is only for Japan.