Apple saw its environmental friendliness slip a little over the last year, according to a new study from Greenpeace.The organization today released the 18th annual “Guide to Greener Electronics.” Apple took the sixth spot this time around, with a score of 4.5 out of a possible 10, down from 4.6 (and fourth place) last year. The company was hit hard on Sustainable Operations for “lacking a robust take-back program in India.” Worldwide, however, its recycling program is quite good. The biggest issue Greenpeace has with Apple is that lacks “transparency” and is unwilling to divulge details on the ways in which it’s committing its operations to more environmental friendliness.
http://news.cnet.com/8301-11128_3-57551814-54/apple-a-bit-less-green-this-year-than-last-greenpeace-finds/Also see:Wipro beats outs Apple, HP as it tops Greenpeace’s green gadget guide
For the first time in the history of Greenpeace’s green gadget guide, an Indian electronics firm, Wipro, has taken the lead in the rankings ahead of American tech companies like Apple, HP and Dell. Greenpeace released its latest (18th) Guide to Greener Electronics on Monday and announced that Wipro topped the sustainability rankings out of 16 companies.First launched in 2006, Greenpeace’s Guide to Greener Electronics looks at environmental conditions for electronics manufacturers like if companies use toxic materials in their gadgets, if they take back old products for recycling, how much energy they use to produce and ship their gadgets, and how clean their energy sources are. Companies also score points by setting carbon emissions reductions goals and for advocating politically for sustainability. The top companies in the latest guide are Wipro, HP, Nokia, and Acer, while the bottom companies are Sharp, Toshiba and RIM.
http://gigaom.com/cleantech/indian-giant-wipro-beats-outs-hp-apple-as-it-tops-greenpeaces-gadget-guide/
www.washingtonpost.com/business/technology/indian-giant-wipro-beats-outs-hp-apple-as-it-tops-greenpeaces-gadget-guide/2012/11/19/62aeb8e0-3230-11e2-92f0-496af208bf23_story.htmlElectronics companies can lead the way on clean energy – if you push them
Every day, you rely on your computer, mobile phone, or tablet to be more productive, or just to have fun. Gadgets can make our lives better, but the rate at which we collectively purchase and discard them is having a serious impact on our planet.So people often ask us: “Who is the greenest tech company?” These queries only intensify as we head into the winter holiday shopping season. And we answer this question carefully, with lots of analysis and interaction with consumer electronics companies.Often the greenest option for people is to buy only what they truly need, to buy used electronics, and to extend the life of their devices by upgrading parts or replacing a weak battery. The greenest electronic gadget is usually the one you don’t buy.
www.greenpeace.org/international/en/news/Blogs/makingwaves/electronics-companies-can-lead-the-way-on-cle/blog/43030/Electronics companies still to eliminate dirty energy from supply chain – Greenpeace [news release]
Global electronic companies must do more to end the use of climate changing dirty energy in their manufacturing and supply chains, according to a report released today by Greenpeace InternationalWhile these companies have made progress at removing toxic chemicals from the mobile phones, computers and tablets they produce, their manufacturing and supply chains are still too heavily dependent on dirty energy sources that are contributing to climate change.Greenpeace International’s 18th version of the Guide to Greener Electronics [1] ranked 16 electronics companies based on their commitment and progress in three environmental criteria: Energy and Climate, Greener Products and Sustainable Operations.”The next big environmental challenge for consumer electronics companies is to reduce their carbon pollution,” said Greenpeace International IT analyst Casey Harrell. “Consumers have stated that they want greener electronics, which means high functioning gadgets that are built and powered by renewable energy.”The bulk of the carbon footprint associated with many electronic devices is buried in the manufacturing chain, where the electronic devices are assembled. More carbon is used in the manufacture of some gadgets, such as tablets and smart phones, than consumers ever use after buying them.”Companies should work with their suppliers to implement more efficient manufacturing processes and to power the supply chain with renewable energy, not fossil fuels, just as they have successfully done to reduce the toxic materials in electronics,” Harrell said.As global electronics use grows, only corporate environmental leadership can prevent increased electronic waste and ensure that the industry transitions to using clean energy to manufacture its products. Electronic companies have also gained political power in many countries, meaning their advocacy for clean energy can impact government policy.The Indian technology firm Wipro topped the ranking in its first appearance in the International version of the Guide to Greener Electronics. [2] Wipro scored the most points due to its efforts to embrace renewable energy and advocacy for greener energy policies in India. Wipro also scored well for post-consumer e-waste collection for recycling and for phasing out hazardous substances from its products.”Wipro has set a new benchmark for sustainability, not only in India but across the globe, that will have a long-term impact in shaping the green energy debate in the electronics industry,” said Greenpeace India Senior Campaigner Abhishek Pratap. “The rest of the electronics sector should follow in the footsteps of Wipro’s climate leadership.”HP dropped from No. 1 in last year’s edition of the guide to No. 2. Nokia moved up from No. 4 to No. 3. Taiwanese computer maker Acer was the most improved company in the guide, moving up nine spots to No. 4 for engaging with its suppliers on greenhouse gas emissions, hazardous substances, conflict minerals and fibre sourcing. Dell dropped from No. 3 to No. 5. Apple dropped slightly from No. 5 in last year’s edition to No. 6. Blackberry maker RIM did not improve from its 16th ranking, the bottom of the group. [3]The Greenpeace Guide to Greener Electronics, launched in 2006, has prompted improvements within the electronics industry, including the phase-out of hazardous substances from products. [4] The guide is part of Greenpeace’s wider campaign to push the IT industry to develop the solutions needed for a global clean energy revolution. [5]1. This year’s 18th Guide to Greener Electronics: www.greenpeace.org/rankingguide2. Wipro and three other Indian consumer electronic companies were assessed separately in a version of the Guide to Greener Electronics specifically for Indian companies, using the same set of criteria from 2007 – 2011. The current edition of the guide merges the Indian version and the international version.3. These changes in ranking order are based on the integration of Wipro (5.4) and HCL Infosystems’ (4.3) scores from the previous version of the Guide. In previous rankings, Wipro and HCL’s score were released only in India, though the evaluation criteria were identical. To gauge ranking order changes in this latest edition of the Guide, Wipro and HCL’s previous scores were intergrated into the past ranking order of the globally released Guide. In the previous global ranking, Wipro would have been ranked second, HCL seventh.4. A timeline of Greenpeace electronics campaigning: http://www.greenpeace.org/international/en/campaigns/toxics/electronics/Campaign-timeline/5. Greenpeace’s campaign focusing on the IT industry: www.greenpeace.org/coolit
http://www.greenpeace.org/international/en/press/releases/Electronics-companies-still-to-eliminate-dirty-energy-from-supply-chain/
Apple a bit less green this year than last, Greenpeace finds
Apple saw its environmental friendliness slip a little over the last year, according to a new study from Greenpeace.