Greenpeace Guide Gives High Points to HP and Provides the Low-Down on Other Electronics

What’s your guilty pleasure? Unless you own an HP product, you’re about to have another. In Greenpeace’s new and upgraded Guide to Greener Electronics , HP has vaulted up three slots this year to number one, leaving Dell, Nokia (News - Alert), and Apple behind at numbers two through four, respectively,

Based in Amsterdam, Greenpeace International has been defending the environment for over 40 years and has been determining the ratings of electronics since 2006. When it comes to these rankings, the organization looks at more than functionality, quality, and price. The manufacturer of your smartphone, tablet, or PC must pass muster on energy, greener products, and sustainability operations.

The latest edition of Guide to Greener Electronics continues to set the bar higher, by challenging companies to reduce their carbon footprint in their supply chain, operations, through to the end-of-life phase of their products and to set ambitious goals for renewable energy use. This updated version also features new criteria for the sourcing of paper fiber and rare minerals.

“After many of the world’s leading electronics companies rose to the challenge of phasing out the worst hazardous substances, we are now challenging them to improve their sourcing of minerals and better manage the energy use throughout the supply chain,” said Greenpeace International campaigner Tom Dowdall.

“Right now, HP takes the top spot [with 5.9 points out of 10] because it is …measuring and reducing carbon emissions from its supply chain, reducing its own emissions, and advocating for strong climate legislation. However all companies we included in the guide have an opportunity to show more leadership in reducing their climate impact,” Dowdall commented.

Computer manufacturer Dell is perched at number two, after making a dramatic improvement from tenth position in the previous version. Dell scores well for having the most ambitious climate target, with plans to reduce its emissions by 40 percent by 2015, and for its strong policy on sustainable paper sourcing.

After three years at the top position, Nokia has slipped to third place, mainly due to weaker performance on theenergy criteria. According to Dowdall, “If it hopes to regain leadership on environmental issues, Nokia, along with many other companies in the guide, [must] demonstrate how it will reduce future emissions through energy efficiency and renewable energy.”

Apple (News - Alert) takes fourth place, with a score of 4.6 out of 10. The company scored especially well on e-waste criteria, exceeding its 70 percent global recycling goal in 2010 and pledging to maintain it through 2015, alhough it can still make improvements by enhancing its take-back program. Together with HP, Apple earned high points for its policies and practices on the sourcing of rare minerals, for self-publishing its suppliers, and for engaging effectively in the Electronics Industry Citizenship Coalition’s conflict-free smelter program. However, it scored a zero on paper sourcing, and could offer greater transparency in reporting on its suppliers’ greenhouse gas emissions.

Apple continues to score well on the productscriteria. Nearly all Apple products are now free of PVC vinyl plastic and brominated flame retardants (BFRs); but the company does not mention plans to phase out antimony or beryllium. It gets maximum points for reporting that all of its products meet or exceed the latest Energy Star standardsfor energy efficiency; however, it risks a penalty pointin future editions as a member of a trade association that has commented against stringent energy efficiency standards. “It needs to distance itself from such regressive positions with a strong statement,” said Dowdall.

Placing at numbers five through 14 are Philips (News - Alert) (with a score of 4.5 out of 10), Sony Ericsson (4.2/10), Samsung (4.1/10), Lenovo (3.8/10), Panasonic (3.6/10), Sony (3.6/10), Sharp (3/10), Acer (2.9/10), LG Electronics (News - Alert) (2.8/10), and Toshiba (2.8/10).

Blackberry manufacturer Research in Motion (RIM) is ranked for the first time but ranks bottom of the table (1.6/10), and needs to improve reporting and disclosure of its environmental performance. However, RIM scores well on rare minerals and sustainable paper policy.