Gadget firms’ claims of ‘green greatness’ put to the test
Greenpeace has included TVs and games consoles in its latest eco-friendly electronics guide.
Major brands Sony and Samsung are among those to fare well in the environmental campaign group’s Greener Electronics Guide, aimed at spurring the industry into facing up to "e-waste".
Manufacturers of office supplies, computers and mobile phones have been urged by the eco-experts to take responsibility for the toxic chemicals and other waste produced by the "gizmo-loving ways" of consumers.
Iza Kruszewska, a campaigner against toxics for Greenpeace International, commented: "Companies shouldn’t be under any illusions that we won’t check up on their claims of green greatness."
"Firms making the most progress with new products without the worst toxic chemicals are now ranking higher than companies who have only committed to remove them in the future," she added, citing laptop producer Toshiba’s toxic-free example.
Eco-IT specialists Tranquil PC have pointed out that vast numbers of computers in use today makes them key to tackling emissions and energy use.
They revealed that some businesses have already started to switch to "greener machines", while various government organisations and firms change ten or 20 computers every month.


