Apple is now greener than Microsoft

[+Green Blog]

Apple is now “greener” than its rival Microsoft according to the Greener Electronics Guide from Greenpeace. But both companies have still a long way to go until they can beat Samsung and Toshiba who currently leads the “green race”.

Greenpeace recently released its seventh version of their Greener Electronics Guide where it ranks electronic companies based on their actions against e-waste and harmful toxic chemicals.

Apple has gained 0.7 points since the last update. Apple have gained more points because of new models have been introduced, mainly the new MacBook Air, that contains less toxic chemicals. But Greenpeace emphasizes their “takeback programme still needs to be global”.

While Sony Ericsson drops 6 places, “due to losing points on its e-waste policy and practice,” Toshiba and Samsung grab the top spots.

Samsung with their 7.7 “scores points well on toxic chemicals policy. Loses points for incomplete takeback practice.” Toshiba who also have 7.7 points continues to improve, “especially on e-waste and recycling policy.”

The biggest disappointment is that Nintendo still “remains rooted to the bottom with only a tiny improvement.”

You can help make Nintendo score better in the next update by sending Mr Satoru Iwata a letter.

Related: Nokia loses its top spot in the Greener Electronics Guide from Greenpeace

View the full article

[Steve_Barker]

Mac greener than M/soft - would not doubt it. I would argue that anything which helped stop Microsoft having a monopoly of the IT world was green (I see green as more than just environmental). I would argue that any PC can be made greener, install Linux or FreeBSD.

With respect to Nintendo, the Wii uses a fraction of the energy when playing intensive games, that that the PlayStation uses when in standby mode - but this is not included in Greenpeaces “green” calculation.

[Simon]

With respect to Nintendo, the Wii uses a fraction of the energy when playing intensive games, that that the PlayStation uses when in standby mode - but this is not included in Greenpeaces “green” calculation.

Yes but this list isn't about energy usage. It's about toxic chemicals and recycling/e-waste.

[Simon]

Also, this is kind of interesting:

In a separate ballot, investors rejected a shareholder proposal to create a board committee for sustainability. Apple had recommended that shareholders vote against the proposal, pointing to the environmental practices it has initiated.

John Harrington of Napa's Harrington Investments said he had submitted the proposal because he wanted the board to embrace environmental concerns at its highest levels and to force its directors, particularly Gore, to be responsible for the company's actions.

"Unless they have it in their bylaws, it's meaningless," Harrington said. "It's just words. It's just noise."

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?...5/BUT5VDFEC.DTL