Greenpeace Ranks Electronics Firms' Policies

OK, so it's not really possible to be an electronics enthusiast and a sterling example of environmental stewardship at the same time — especially when newer and cooler toys are released at an ever-quickening pace. Besides, the health of the industry depends on our disposable relationship with technology and insatiable need for all things smaller, faster and better.

Without investigating what actually goes on at these companies — and at the risk of giving shelter to "greenwashers" — Greenpeace International has released its annual guide to electronics companies' policies toward toxic chemicals, recycling and overall environmental impact. Bear in mind that this ranking only considers policies and not necessarily practice, but it does provide useful information for those who wish to support forward-thinking electronics vendors.

And according to the ranking, Silicon Valley darling Apple Inc. hovers somewhere in the middle. Perhaps CEO Steve Jobs has read the results of a survey in which two-thirds of respondents said they would not give up their iPods even to save the world. But it's not fair to pick on Apple, which is just average.

Bringing up the rear is Nintendo, with a ranking of one out of 10 points, scoring the lowest in categories such as energy efficiency and use of recycled plastic. On the greener side of the list, at least in terms of stated policy, is Nokia, with 7.45 out of 10. The Scandinavian company received high marks for categories such as chemicals management, information provided to consumers and energy efficiency.

The ranking is too detailed to adequately cover here, but definitely worth a look.