From energy efficiency to toxics used in manufacturing to end-of-life issues,
the road to truly green electronics faces a steep climb. Although most companies
are taking these issues very seriously, it will surely be a slow process.
Every three months, the international environmental group Greenpeace rates
these companies on how well they're doing -- and raises the bar a little higher.
In this, the tenth quarterly Guide to Greener Electronics, Greenpeace calls on
manufacturers to up their company-wide commitments to steep and rapid cuts in
overall greenhouse gas emissions.
Nokia maintains its top score in the ranking, earning 6.9 points out of 10
possible for its takeback program and reducing the use of toxic chemicals like
PVC, brominated flame retardants and antimony trioxide.
Rounding out the top four is a three-way tie between Sony Ericsson, Toshiba
and Samsung, all with 5.9 points. Sony earned high marks for its new
environmental warranty for responsible takeback, Toshiba gains ground with its
reporting of and goals toward renewable energy use and emissions reductions, and
Samsung earned praise for reducing toxic chemical use and building
energy-efficient products.
In the 1970s, Gordon E. Moore theorized that computer processing power doubles about every 18 months especially relative to cost or size. His theory, known as Moore?s Law, has proved largely true. Thinner, sleeker, and faster computers have replaced the big boxes and monitors people once owned 10 years ago.
This phenomenon is not limited to computers. Each day, various types of consumer electronics are constantly being upgraded or completely scrapped in favor of technological advancements. In the process, scores of old VCRs, walkman cassette decks and bulky video cameras become what is known as ?e-waste? or electronic waste.