Greenpeace: Nintendo, Microsoft Least Green Electronics Makers

Nintendo continues its reign as the least environmentally friendly electronics manufacturer, according to Greenpeace, but Microsoft is approaching that dubious honor as well after dropping two places and becoming the second-worst in this year's "Guide to Greener Electronics." Nintendo has held the last-place slot for the last eight reports, ever since Greenpeace first added it to the roughly quarterly roundup of manufacturers of PCs, electronics devices, and consoles. Companies are judged on a multitude of criteria, including chemical management, use of PVC, carbon footprint disclosure, use of renewable energy, energy efficiency, and amount of recycling. While Nintendo is the study's perennial loser, Microsoft also tends to hover around the bottom, this time dropping two places to number 17. Meanwhile, their console competitor Sony scores relatively well with its seventh-place ranking, and iPhone manufacturer Apple is slightly better at fifth place. "It’s time for a little less conversation and a lot more action on removing toxic chemicals," said Greenpeace spokesperson Casey Harrell in a statement. "Apple is leading and HP is playing catch up, but the lack of action from other companies is ensuring that customers and the environment are still losing out." But it's cell phone maker Nokia that Greenpeace deems the greenest manufacturer. The Finnish company maintained its top ranking in this report, despite taking a slight point reduction for failing to lobby on behalf of the revised Restriction of Hazardous Substances Directive. "In 2010, we should see significant developments, with products free of PVC and BFRs in the PC and TV markets," Harrell went on. "Any company failing to achieve this goal is taking a big gamble with its green reputation." Nintendo was the only company on the list to score "bad" or "partially bad" in every single rated category. Even Microsoft scored "good" or "partially good" in some areas.