Greenpeace slams HP, Lenovo, and Dell in latest report

HP, Lenovo, and Dell haven't fared too badly in some of Greenpeace's previous e-waste reports, but it looks like three companies have fallen well short of the organization's expectations this time around, with each getting called out for failing to live up to their promises. Specifically, all three had said that they would eliminate vinyl plastic (PVC) and brominated flame retardants (BFRs) in their products by the end of this year, but they've now apparently told Greenpeace that they won't be able to meet that timeline, and only Lenovo has come forward set a new deadline (the end of 2010). The big winner, on the other hand, is Philips, which has jumped from 15th place to 4th as a result of some new recycling initiatives, prompted at least in part by public pressure. And, as you can see above, Nintendo is once again dead last, although we're pretty sure that's simply a result of sheer mass at this point.

[Sisyphus @ Mar 31st 2009 3:37PM]

Not that I trust Greenpeace all that much but...

WTF Dell? You were high up. Guess when you need to improve margins you get rid of all of those luxuries like "safety" and "non-toxicity."

At least with Apple in the orange area I can feel confident in my hatred for their new commercials. "Greenest laptop in the world" my (_!_).

[Gnormie @ Mar 31st 2009 3:40PM]

It would be unwise to believe ANYTHING that Apple run in their ads as they are outright lying at least 20% of the time and with the other 80% not being even close to the truth.

[Sisyphus @ Mar 31st 2009 3:47PM]

In the next ad, John Hodges will be replaced by a coal-fired smokestack wearing a brown suit and horn-rimmed glasses.

[required @ Mar 31st 2009 3:47PM]

I think Apple has a tiny asterisk next to their Greenest claim with tiny type at the bottom of the screen that describes their Greenwashing process including how long they leave it in their spin cycle.

[liamf555 @ Mar 31st 2009 3:52PM]

The laptop may be the greenest in the world. It may be just that the other products aren't as green.

[dingo @ Mar 31st 2009 3:53PM]

I sense a lot of PC fanboy damage control coming. I predict a mixture of "Apple LIES" and "Greenpeace can't be trusted"

[Greg @ Mar 31st 2009 3:54PM]

I think that's a scam. With the EPA's gold rating for them, I don't think so. The only reason they don't like Apple is because they refuse to give away who recycles their merchandise. Apparently, if you don't tell trade secrets to Greenpeace, you're a bad company. Think of Nokia. The top? Really? Cheap plastic that gets thrown away and batteries for the same? I don't think so.

[Gordon @ Mar 31st 2009 3:55PM]

From Greenpeace's release: "Apple doesn't have certified PVC-free power cords yet, but in EVERY OTHER WAY (emphasis added) its products are now PVC and BFR free. If Apple can do it, then so should the other leading PC manufacturers."

Sorry, what was your point?

We get it. You guys hate Apple, and that's perfectly alright, but get over it already, for Christ's sake. I'm tired of scanning the comments and see this bulllllshit Mac vs. PC argument trotted out with every single mother-fucking post. Grow the fuck up.

And that goes for the Apple zealots, too, but most of the time I notice one of these idiotic conversations start up, it's because some douchebag Apple-hater started it.

[dingo @ Mar 31st 2009 3:56PM]

oh wait, too late. damage control already started ^

[potato @ Mar 31st 2009 3:57PM]

You know that this particular chart rates companies LOW for not revealing to Greenpeace proprietary environmental information right?

Who died and made Greenpeace the King of England? "Tell us all about your manufacturing processes and spare absolutely no details, otherwise we'll slander you in the press."?

Nintendo was last (or close to it) last time also - not because they were provably making toxic crap, but because they refused to tell their processes to Greenpeace.

Fuck Greenpeace.

[Frankenstein Black @ Mar 31st 2009 4:01PM]

Forget Dell, HP and Lenovo, what’s up with Nintendo? Yea, a friend said that “the Wii kills Chinese babies” but I didn’t know what he was talking about ;^/...

[BigD145 @ Mar 31st 2009 4:01PM]

Standards change and Greenpeace typically changes with them. I doubt the companies have changed at all.

[Gnormie @ Mar 31st 2009 4:01PM]

@ Dingo
If that was directed at me I wasn't intending to be overtly anti-Apple. Every corporation does it, especcially in America where advertising standards are surprisingly lax - but just take a look at Apples ads from an objective standpoint it's pretty obvious that they are 'taking liberties' with the truth if not outright lying.

[Sisyphus @ Mar 31st 2009 4:02PM]

I think its safe to say that "Greenpeace" is a misnomer.

Case in point, this thread.

[The WC @ Mar 31st 2009 4:03PM]

So according to you (and let's face it, the majority of Engadget commentors), Apple is a company made of lying, cheating SOBs who sell overpriced products and are destroying the Earth.

Darn. I always fall for the villians. I might as well get it over with and become a henchman to a mob boss or something.

And +1 to Gordon. He really nailed the sentiments I have.

[facebookfake @ Mar 31st 2009 4:07PM]

@dingo

Guess what? Apple makes PCs. Macs ARE PCs.

[Fraghax @ Mar 31st 2009 4:14PM]

Apple never said they made the "Greenest laptop". They said the "Greenest FAMILY of laptops". which is true. And this Greenpeace report is not only based on the product. Its based on the entire process of the company i.e. Waste, shipping, materials used, etc.

[Alex @ Mar 31st 2009 4:17PM]

how did this post lead up to Apple vs. PC flame war again?

[dingo @ Mar 31st 2009 4:27PM]

@facebookfake

That's just semantics.

[crescentdavid @ Mar 31st 2009 4:33PM]

I remember last year when applets were screaming hatred at Greenpeace. This year it's pc fanboys. And the level of hatred. Gotta love the hatred. Lick spittle whingers. Greenpeace is merely a frame of reference. It's the direction manufacturing is ever increasingly going. Out of sheer necessity. Don't like it? Too bad. It's not going away.

As a mixed shop owner and home user as well, congrats to Apple. It's an achievement in moving towards more responsible engineering and production. All you haters ... take your SUV's out in rush hour traffic and let your rage flow. It's STILL not going to change the fact some companies are doing a hell of a lot better than others in this arena.

[Quix @ Mar 31st 2009 5:19PM]

"It would be unwise to believe ANYTHING that Apple run in their ads as they are outright lying at least 20% of the time and with the other 80% not being even close to the truth." - Gnormie

Ah, sorta like Microsoft hiring an ACTRESS to pretend to be a regular gal shopping for a laptop for herself? Not that there's anything wrong with that, per se. But then PROHIBITING HER FROM SAYING ANYTHING about that laptop, or Windows itself, after the purchase?

Yep. That's honesty for you.

The Apple haterade flows freely here on the Engadget comments board. Bottoms up!

[wat up!!! @ Mar 31st 2009 5:17PM]

but dont let those green apple electronics dry up otherwise they'll catch on fire much easier!

[comments4cheap @ Mar 31st 2009 5:31PM]

There are pros and cons for every subject, item, pcs, and gaming devices. Voicing you don't like a product or anything is just a matter of that persons opinion and experiences. Not smart to slender someone for not liking a product. Low rank me, i don't care. I still hate Apple. This is to misterslikeeverything and hates peeps who hates things.

[Gnormie @ Mar 31st 2009 5:43PM]

@ Quix

"Every corporation does it"
-me later that very comment

Almost everyone lies in ads, especially so it seems in America why do people defend Apple when they do it? Especially when there is so much evidence on youtube (again not to say other corporations aren't guilty of the same thing).

[Newone @ Mar 31st 2009 5:43PM]

There's sony too, out of pc makes, beating apple.

If you look at cellphone makers apple is pretty mutch the last.

But it really doesnt mean anything. Greenpeaces this years favorite boogieman is pvc, or more correctly flatates that are added into pvc. Neither pvc or flatates are harmful for people or nature, but greenpeace needs a bogeyman so they make one.

There's no standard for this ranking. Each year greenpeace makes it they just decide how to make it up, shuffling manufacturers whichever way, trying to make them hop by their command. But there's no point with this list as the placement is completely arbitrary.

If you want good greenpeace ranking the money is better spent on pr department than greener iniatitives as ranking is more influenced by what you seem to do than what you do
. As usual, greenpeace gives us more rubbish.

[Samboini @ Mar 31st 2009 5:43PM]

I only eat whales because I hate Greenpeace.

[mellott124 @ Mar 31st 2009 6:59PM]

Do we really care? Can't say that I even consider this when purchasing electronics. Now with all the hype around being "green" are we suppose to believe that anyone really pays any attention. I think we like to talk about it but in the end it makes no difference at all in your purchasing.

[maveric101 @ Mar 31st 2009 7:56PM]

i'm not really for "haterade" against any company, but Apple kinda deserves it for crap like this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DPa0RI6umDQ

[ImaYam @ Mar 31st 2009 8:40PM]

ACtually, this chart represent how much green each company has contributed to "Greenpeace".

End of discussion.

[nDy @ Apr 1st 2009 12:47AM]

Nokia get very high because they did a lot of tiny stuffs that counts,
See how much they promote the idea:
Stamping the word "Recycle!" on the innerside of back cover,
tell you to unplug from wall when recharge completes,
recycling handsets and batteries in Nokia stores,
Providing app for users to pay for Carbon Offset,
Trying to sell N79 with no charger(Don't ask why giving 3 covers, it's XpressOn)
And that smart charger that reduces standby power consumtionb
They don't Ad these things but they did it.

[aj121489 @ Mar 31st 2009 3:37PM]

Does anybody really care?

[Mark Anderson @ Mar 31st 2009 3:39PM]

Honestly?

Not a fucking bit.

[aj121489 @ Mar 31st 2009 3:41PM]

Ok well I'm glad I've got at least one person that completely agrees with me lol that's all I need

[required @ Mar 31st 2009 3:47PM]

I do.

[Dude @ Mar 31st 2009 3:50PM]

Nope.

Greenpeace rating "greenness" is like the Taliban rating your "devotion" to God.

[Jesse James @ Mar 31st 2009 3:54PM]

Greenpeace will only be satisfied when Michael Dell becomes a vegan and shits out a computer that runs off gummy bears and emits magical unicorn gas that cures global warming. I will also be pretty impressed.

[MCPO117 @ Mar 31st 2009 4:00PM]

Dude i think you just made me shit my pants a little with your Taliban comment. well played

[Frank @ Mar 31st 2009 3:58PM]

If I have to make a decision which product I want to buy: NO. I don't care if they are green or not green.
But all in all I'm somehow happy that some organsiation at least tries to compare companies and show them how to improve. Not that I like Greenpeace, 90% of their memebs are idiots, have no clue what they are really doing, but without such comparisons the companies wouldn't even try to make their products 'greener'.

[CraigJ @ Mar 31st 2009 7:35PM]

"I care" - Luke Skywalker

[Mark Anderson @ Mar 31st 2009 3:39PM]

"Of the world's five top PC makers, only Apple is truly kicking the habit. "

Apple ain't in the top 5.

Toshiba, however, are and I note that they seem to be quite a bit ahead of our fruit friends.

[nonamo @ Mar 31st 2009 3:41PM]

Apple don't even make PCs

...or do they?

:-P

[Kurt @ Mar 31st 2009 3:45PM]

I thought Apple was #3 last year behind Dell and HP. I thought it went Dell, HP, Apple, Acer

[Mark Anderson @ Mar 31st 2009 3:48PM]

Nope...

Table 3 refers:

http://news.moneycentral.msn.com/ticker/article.aspx?symbol=US:IT&feed=BW&date=20090114&id=9515218

Fourth in the US, mind. Not that anyone really cares about that.

[Hackettman @ Mar 31st 2009 3:44PM]

Who knew Nokia has the title as the greenest electronics supplier? I would never have guessed that.....

[The WC @ Mar 31st 2009 3:50PM]

Why else do you think conglomerates want Nokia out of the US?

[Cargojack @ Mar 31st 2009 7:48PM]

Oh! You never need to recycle a Lenovo, because they rarely breakdown.

[Alex Padilla @ Mar 31st 2009 3:46PM]

Why does Greenpeace even have a Green-O-Meter, anyway? Everyone knows those sanctimonious yahoos will never give anyone a 10/10.

[required @ Mar 31st 2009 3:51PM]

I like the meter and can easily see a couple brands in the green.

[Scuba Steve @ Mar 31st 2009 4:00PM]

bet you the heads of Greenpeace would be down the "red" end of the scale for their household "greenness" too.

[Patriks7 @ Mar 31st 2009 3:47PM]

Wow, people even take Greenpeace seriously? LOL.