Green Companies Scorecard

Greenpeace has released its “Guide to Greener Electronics” for 2007. Here is its ranking of the world’s biggest electronic gizmo producers:

7.7/10 Sony Ericsson: Improved reporting of mobile phone recycling levels and a move towards new PVC devices sees Sony Ericsson move into number one spot.

7.7/10 Samsung: A big improver, with more products free of the worst toxic chemicals. Loses points for not further extending programs for taking back redundant products.

7.3/10 Sony: Extending the range of products free of toxic PVC and improved reporting on recycling and takeback, especially in the US.

7.3/10 Dell: Unchanged since 2006, still no products on the market without the worst chemicals.

7.3/10 Lenovo: Unchanged since 2006, still no products on the market without the worst chemicals.

7/10 Toshiba: A much improved performance on toxic chemicals but lobbies in the US for policies limiting the obligation to takeback and recycle redundant products.

7/10 LGE: Unchanged since 2006, needs better takeback for products other than phones.

7/10 Fujitsu-Siemens: Unchanged since 2006, needs to implement toxic elimination timelines, better takeback across its products and reporting of amounts recycled.

6.7/10 Nokia: A steep fall in 2007 from its top spot in 2006. Good on reducing toxic chemicals but points were deducted for poor communication and implementation of its takeback and recycling program in Thailand, Russia and Argentina.

6.7/10 HP: Has moved to provide timelines for eliminating the worst toxic chemicals, but not for all products. Needs to improve takeback coverage.

6/10 Apple: Slightly improved with new iMacs and some iPods reducing the use of toxic chemicals, but its takeback program still needs more work.

5.7/10 Acer: Unchanged since 2006, needs to improve its takeback program and reporting of amounts recycled.

5/10 Panasonic: Unchanged since 2006, need better takeback coverage and reporting of amounts recycled.

5/10 Motorola: Big faller due to poor takeback and recycling practices in Philippines, Thailand and India. Still no timelines for eliminating the most harmful chemicals.

4.7/10 Sharp: Is making some progress on toxic chemicals elimination but has a poor takeback and recycling policy.

2.7/10 Microsoft: Timeline for toxic chemicals elimination by 2011 is too long and poor takeback policy and practice.

2/10 Philips: No timeline for toxic chemical elimination and zero points on e-waste policy and practice.

0/10 Nintendo: The first global brand to score zero across all criteria. No PVC and toxic chemical elimination progress or timeline and no takeback and recycling