Samsung, Toshiba top green list

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Samsung and Toshiba are leading the rankings in Greenpeace's Guide to Greener Electronics - but the news isn't so rosy for Microsoft and Nokia.

The Greenpeace survey periodically ranks companies across the IT industry on their stated commitments to good environmental practice.

Toshiba has shot up the rankings from sixth to first after improving its policy on collecting the company's own electronic waste. "This is as a result of leaving the Electronic Manufacturers' Coalition for Responsible Recycling, which does not support Producer Responsibility for e-waste generated by electronic products, but is demanding that consumers pay ARFs (Advanced Recycling Fees)," Greenpeace said.

Samsung too have moved up from second to joint first, largely thanks to its strong record of eliminating toxic chemicals from its products. "All new models of LCD panels are now free from polyvinyl chloride (PVC) plastic and all new models of mobile phones have circuit boards that are largely free from brominated flame retardants (BFRs), together with the housing and peripherals," Greenpeace noted.

However, some of the industry's biggest names didn't fare so well. Microsoft was propped up only by Nintendo and Phillips at the bottom of the table, after failing "to provide voluntary take-back for its customers' end-of-life products." Microsoft, of course, only has a limited hardware range, the Xbox console being the most notable.

And despite a rise in the rankings, Nokia was deducted a point by Greenpeace for "for corporate misbehaviour on its take-back and recycling practice. Further testing of Nokia's take-back programme by Greenpeace revealed that staff are still not informed about the take-back service in Russia and India, although the service was much improved in the Philippines and Thailand," Greenpeace stated.

In response to the ranking, a Microsoft spokesperson said: "Microsoft is committed to environmental sustainability and has many programs and policies in place to lessen our footprint. In our consumer electronics business, we comply with and exceed all environmental guidelines and regulations. We are committed to making ongoing progress on environmental issues while maintaining product durability, safety and performance."

A spokesperson for Nokia said: "Nokia has collection points for used mobiles and accessories in eighty five countries around the world. Last year Greenpeace contacted some of these and identified some gaps in the service and information available. This is valuable feedback and we have addressed many of these issues and will continue to look at opportunities for further development. We are committed to ensuring that staff in Nokia service centers are properly trained on this issue and that information is easily available for consumers around the globe."

The full rankings are available on the Greenpeace website.

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