Green Talk® » Electronics

Greenpeace’s 2011 Electronic Green Guide: HP, Dell, & Nokia Winners

Anna@Green Talk — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 14:05:23 +0000

Greenpeace Consumer Electronic Ranking Guide

If you ask any of my children, what they want for the holidays, inevitably some sort of electronic product is mentioned. According to a 2010 Consumer Electronic Association study, the average US household spends $1380 on electronic purchases. So, how do we pursue our electronic passion but keep it green as well? Every year, Greenpeace compiles its Guide to Greener Electronics.

Winners?

HP took the top spot with an overall score of 5.9/10. The company received the strongest scores in sustainable operations and energy criteria. However, the reviewers noted that HP could work on their green product criteria. In second place was Dell followed by Nokia in third. To see the rest of the rankings, see here.

Despite HP’s first place finish, I was struck by the company’s score. The company only scored 5.9/10, which is slightly above the median. Dell’s score of 5.1/10 and Nokia’s score of 4.9 were close to 50% compliance with the criteria list. The last place contenders, LG, Toshiba, and Rim all scored below 3.0/10. Given these scores, the electronic industry still has much work to do.

How Are the Rankings Calculated?

Greenpeace’s guide is in its 17th year. It rates the top 15 leading mobile, phone, TV and PC manufacturers in the areas of energy and climate, greener products and sustainable operations.

Both Microsoft and Nintendo were removed from the Guide due to their limited product portfolio. In addition, Motorola and Fujitsu have been removed due to their reduction in their global share.

Previous versions of the guide focused on chemicals, e-waste, and energy criteria. E-waste has been a huge concern of mine since I reported about how electronic equipment waste ended up in third world countries. However, this year, the team decided to re-write and strength the criteria as well as adding paper sourcing and conflict minerals under sustainable operations and product life cycle analysis to greener products.

The new criteria is as follows:

“Criteria on Energy and Climate

The criteria that companies will be evaluated on are:

Disclosure of Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions

Commitment to reduce the company’s own short term and long term GHG emissions

A Clean Energy Plan, which includes increasing use of Renewable Energy (RE) and

energy efficiency measures to implement cuts in GHGs

Advocacy for a Clean Energy Policy at national and sub-national level

Criteria on Greener Products

These criteria focus on the environmental performance of consumer electronics, across a number of different issues.

Energy efficiency of new models of specified products

Products free from hazardous substances

Use of recycled plastics in products

Product life cycle

Criteria on Sustainable Operations

These criteria examine how companies implement environmental considerations during manufacture in their supply chain through to the end-of-life phase of a product

Reduction of GHG emissions from energy use by suppliers

Policy, practice and advocacy on chemicals management

Policy and practice on sustainable sourcing of fibres for paper

Policy and practice on avoidance of conflict minerals

Producer responsibility for voluntary take-back of e-waste

Maximum points

Depending on the complexity of the criteria and the focus of Greenpeace campaigns, the maximum points awarded per criteria vary between 3, 5 and 8 points.

Company scores

Companies have the opportunity to improve their score, as the Guide will be periodically updated. However, penalty points will be deducted from overall scores if Greenpeace finds a company lying, practicing double standards or regressive advocacy, and other corporate misconduct.”

For further information, see their Ranking Criteria PDF on their website.

Greenpeace company assessments are based upon public information and practices to ensure that its ranking is transparent. They feel that when companies make changes publicly, it drives competition among the other electronic companies.

Social Responsibility Is Not Part of the Criteria

As you might have noticed from the above list of criteria, Greenpeace does not rank companies based upon their social responsibility metrics, labor standards or other issues. I was a little perplexed as to why these criteria was not included. Casey Harrell, spokesperson for Greenpeace replied via email and stated,

“the basics are: we think that fair trade and employee issues are important, and since, as an organization are not experts in these areas, we don’t assess companies on their performance and instead recommend other groups (as we have on our website) that deal with these issues more directly, such as Good Electronics and Make IT Fair.”

(For your information, Good Electronics focuses on international human rights and sustainability in electronics. On the other hand, Make IT Fair is a European project which focuses on labor abuses and environmental problems in the electronic industry.)

How Has the Guide Change the Consumer Electronic Industry?

Realize that the Guide criteria only ranks companies. It do not assess individual products unlike some companies such as Good Guide. However, the Guide opens the conversation about a company’s environmental stance. According to Greenpeace, the Guide has been instrumental in changing the environmental commitment of the consumer electronic industry.

“Since the Guide was launched in August 06 it (together with increased coverage and awareness of toxics in electronics and e-waste) has driven numerous improvements.

Many companies are thus removing the worst toxic chemicals from their products and improving their recycling schemes. This demonstrates that many of the companies ranked in the Guide not only take the results very seriously but also take action to improve their performance and of course ranking.”

No one wants to be in last place. Public perception is everything.

Join the Conversation:

Does this guide dissuade you from buying a product from one company over the other based upon their rankings in the Guide?
Do you focus more on the individual product’s sustainability versus the company’s overall sustainability practices?
Do you feel the Guide has been instrumental in consumer electronic manufacturer changes?
What is your biggest green wish list for change in the electronic industry?
What type of electronic are you buying this year? Do you care equally about its green rating and functionality?

Picture courtesy of Greenpeace.

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Green News for 09.12.2010. Desk on Demand, College Eco Contest, BPA in Sealants

Anna@Green Talk — Mon, 13 Sep 2010 07:05:45 +0000

Photo by Fernando de Sousa.

This week we have green news sure to get up going this week. Grab a cup of Joe and start reading. From the demand desk aimed at making telecommuting the norm to BPA in your child’s sealants.

Goodbye office, hello ‘desk on demand’ I have been preaching this to any who will listen to me that companies will be downsizing their need for office space. Read on as to how IBM took this concept and reduced their office space need. Do you think this concept will take off? Would you like to telecommute?

Video Contest for College Students:

“Video Contest Invites College Students to Film “Everyday Environmentalists” for Scholarship Money. College students have a chance to win up to $3,000 in scholarships by filming or creating animation and uploading short video clips to YouTube that demonstrate the everyday, practical ways that garbage men and women help keep communities healthy and clean, protect the environment and conserve resources in their communities. The contest, which opens on September 9, 2010, is sponsored by the National Solid Wastes Management Association (NSWMA) in Washington, D.C. NSWMA represents the solid waste industry in the U.S., including firms that collect, process, recycle, extract renewable fuel and dispose of municipal solid waste.”

Atlantic County Utilities Authority adds green roofs to its list of green ideas.
(tip from Enviropolticsblogspot.com) Hoping this trend takes off but the cost of $25 a foot is really expensive.

Cotton Cloth Coated in Nanotubes Electrifies Bacteria to Purify Water via Treehugger.

Check out some of the new EcoApps for the iPhone. One of the newest is the solar app:

“Solar PV Installer is an app that fully describes the required solar panel rooftop system, Calculates system output and electricity savings and Estimates total solar panel system cost. It is designed for home and property owners as well as used by solar sales professionals plus it is Internationally accurate!”

Check out some of the other apps on their site. Do you have a favorite Eco app? Spill.

Fillings, Sealants May Leach BPA Into Kids’ Mouths. Don’t panic. Read on how you can minimize your children’s exposure. (Okay, I kind of freaked.)

So, have any green news to share? Comment away.

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Green News 8.23.10 Smart Meters to Wastewater Rocket Science

Anna@Green Talk — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 06:27:29 +0000

Photo by Fernando de Sousa.

This week we have a large list of green news which is sure to excite and be dazzle you.

Conflict-Free’ Electronics Bundled in Financial Reform Law
Nanotech coatings can enhance electricity output from wastewater
Foursquare Coming to a Search Engine Near You?
GE and 4 VC Partners Offer $200M to Fund Best Smart Grid Ideas
Why You Should Stop Cutting Costs and Focus on Your Best Customers. I know this is not a green article but it struck a cord in me. I am trying to help businesses cut their budgets by being sustainable. However, there is no substitution for customer service.
Happy Cow Compassionate Eating Guide for a list of vegan restaurants all over the world.
FORD, DETROIT EDISON, XTREME POWER TO BUILD ONE OF MICHIGAN’S LARGEST SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEM
Stanford’s new wastewater treatment system uses rocket science
Survey: Consumer Interest in Green Homes Declines
Ohio Utility First to Use Ballard’s 1 Megawatt fuel cell unit
Smart gas meters to ride on growth of smart grid infrastructure
Ford Accelerates Electric Vehicle Battery Testing with Wireless Monitoring Systems

So, readers, have any green news to share? Self-promoting is acceptable. Just share!

Which green news article did you like the best?

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My Phone is OFF to You Handkerchief. A Revolution of Anti-Technology

Anna@Green Talk — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 20:57:32 +0000

How many times have you been in a restaurant and your meal is interrupted by the sound of cell phone calls? Worse yet, the calls are coming to your lunch time companion. On a follow-up to Dakotah howling hair raising look at our mobile technology obsession, where this smart pup questions how wired are we, The Way We See the World Design firm has designed the perfect antidote to the un-polite cell phone, iPhone, and must have my email now syndrome with their handkerchief.

According to the website:

“The PHONEKERCHIEF actually blocks phone signals. Wrap phones up for a convivial conversation and spread the word!”

Instant access, instant message, and instant email have become an obsession. See the video on how this little handkerchief gives back your human contact factor in one easy fold. Inspired? Email the team and tell them why your phone is off. They will post it.

In fact, join the revolution on Facebook.

Readers, should cell phones be banned in restaurants?

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Technology Mobility Has its Consequences, Says Dakotah, One Smart Dog

Anna@Green Talk — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 15:49:06 +0000

This is a guest post from Dakotah, who has it all figured out. Dakotah is the company mascot for Florida based Advanced Power Technologies, which specializes in lighting, electrical needs, and signage through the US. He has his own newsletter column, is responsible to raise the “woof” on team spirit and is constantly begging for a raise ….but will settle for ocassional belly rubs. Ah, the simple things in life.

AHHH….summer. My favorite time of the year as soon as Daylight Savings Time begins. Do my APT pups know that “DST” was first proposed by Benjamin Franklin in 1784? The concept of moving clocks ahead to increase the amount of daylight and conserve energy has always been controversial. The United States did not officially adopt the plan until 1918; Arizona and Hawaii still refuse to comply. So let’s hear it for summer – when things can slow down….or can they??

Are We Waay too Wired?

Does my dog pack use any of this extra solar power after work for personal time, or are we way too “wired”? Between the necessities of the cell phone, office phone, email, fax machine, instant messaging, texting, home phone…do we ever get a single hour of un-interrupted peace and quiet in the evening or during the weekend?

(Anna, here, are we too technology mobile crazed? Obsessed? Gone off the Deep end? Do we have a love/hate relationship with the Verizon man and his network?)

If you are fortunate enough to have a family with a spouse, and/or children, parents, relatives, not to mention a variety of friends, each of these continuously clamors for your attention (and if the necessary honey-do list is left undone, you’re in the doghouse– we won’t even go there!)

Let face it – we appreciate the benefits of being “plugged in”. It is a necessary way to keep up with our work, business, family and obligations. However, we also have become addicted to speeding down the information highway and never slowing down to smell a tree (you get my drift? Or… is that sniff?)

(Anna here, sorry to interrupt Dakotah, but he brought it up. Dog’s have it right in so many ways. Urinating near a tree is a poor man’s fertilizer. Sorry to go out on that tangent. Couldn’t resist to plug this easy pezzy fertilizer. Sorry for interrupting, Dakota. Go on.)

Try an Experiment, if you dare

This summer, try an experiment. Go somewhere where there is no wireless or broadband service (howl!) or try a stay-cation and practice the “power off” switch when appropriate.While you are at it, try the same with the television. Unless we are completely addicted, we should survive; if we cannot, there must be a 12-step program for this.

(Anna, here again, really want to break the cell phone addiction, see here. Oh, by the way, Dakotah, that howl was so loud. I could hear it in New Jersey. I know the thought of not being able to access the internet service is like screeching nails on a chalkboard…)

My keen canine sense believes we will do much more than survive – we will flourish. We will reconnect to ourselves, our loved ones, our spirits and souls.

(Anna, here. Not to mentioned reduce our energy consumption. See this handy energy calculator if you want to see how much you are sucking. Saving the Earth, one shut off, at a time…)

Yeah, Yeah, I know you love the technology

We love the technology because it gives us a chance to be masters; how often it turns on us and becomes OUR master instead. Clearly, this is not what we intended when we adopted it. One of the greatest visionaries of our time, Benjamin Franklin, gave us more than energy conservation….he paved the way for us to “see the light” in more ways than one!

(Anna, here again. Dakotah is right. Not only does our technology obsession leave us too accessible and wired, there are also unintended environmental consequences of our love of technology. According to Environment 360,

“More than ever, we need to understand how our technological demand for elements from the entire periodic table is linked to the environmental consequences of global extraction.”

Not only is there the extraction issue of precious metals, but also the lack of proper recycling of our technology waste. How many third world country children are sitting on our outdated cell phones and televisions?)

Have a happy and HEALTHY summer! (Unconnected)

Lots of licks,

Dakotah

Anna, here again. How do I know Dakotah? He is my dog-nephew, and if I can brag, quite smart.

So, what are you doing this summer to disconnect from our world of technology and connecting more with the Earth?

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Green Links for May 16, 2010 from Smart Grid to Children’s Tylenol recall

Anna@Green Talk — Mon, 17 May 2010 03:02:11 +0000

Photo by Fernando de Sousa.

Lots of good green stuff in the mailbox this week ranging from five green energy myths with a dash of Children’s Tylenol recalls and a sprinkle of what is the Smart Grid anyways? Oh, don’t forget to read the BottleHood’s creative way to reuse wine bottles. Lots more where that came from. So, readers, which one is your fancy?

Five myths about green energy

Underwriters Laboratories Announces Personnel Certification Program for Solar Photovoltaic System Installers

Building Not LEED Anymore, Eh?

Children’s Tylenol recalled over tiny particles and out-of-control manufacturing processes

Discover the Green Machine i Phone App

on tour: BottleHood

So What is Smart Grid Anyway

Peak Phosphorus: German recyclers to mine phosphorus from sewage

The Center for Food Safety’s How to Avoid Genetically Modified Food Guide

this article.

Companies Put Restrictions On Research into GM Crops

Have news to share? Add it in the comments. Self promotion is allowed!

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Green News for April 4 , 2010, Ford Motor, Facebook Green, Fake Energy Star Approvals

Anna@Green Talk — Sun, 04 Apr 2010 16:21:47 +0000

Photo by Fernando de Sousa.

I don’t know what got into everyone this week, but my email box was jammed with interesting green news. Is it Spring? New clothes? Lost Weight? New Love Interest? A recent Hook-up? Heck, I have no idea, but get a cup of Joe, tea or tap water (forget the bottle waters, boys and girls) and snuggle up to some good reads:

Oh, don’t forget add your own green news in the comments below. Self-promotion is advised and suggested! Just keep it green. I have the power of the Delete button and can get power crazed. Don’t make me say, “no you didn’t.”

The iPad, internet, climate change link in the spotlight

Ford Motors announces the 2011 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid, expected to be the most fuel-efficient luxury sedan in America and teams up with Microsoft to implement the Microsoft Hohm™ energy management application for Ford’s electric vehicles.

Facebook intends on building its own data center using coal. Join this group (350K and strong) to say no to coal and yes to renewable energy. We want a green Facebook.

Hall Wines Earn Organic Certification. While you are on the site, check out their Gold LEED facility.

Gorgeous Green House Wrapped in a Vertical Garden

Insurance Agents: Get Ready for Green Building Exposures

Is your Blog carbon neutral? See this German project to help make our blogs carbon neutral. According to an email I received

“And how do we actually neutralize your blog’s carbon footprint? We are planting trees in cooperation with the Arbor Day Foundation in Plumas National Forest in Northern California for our project to neutralize the carbon footprint of blogs. Thousands of wildfires burned down many national forests over the past ten years and 88.000 acres of Plumas’ were destroyed by two fires in 2007. To help replanting we need the support of bloggers all over the world! For every participating blog we plant a tree. One blog – one tree.”

Gasoline-Powered Alarm Clock Among 15 Fake Products Receiving Energy Star Seal of Approval

Check out VolunteerSpot , “a free online volunteer coordination tool, has teamed up with Arbor Day Foundation to plant trees in honor of those who participate in earth-friendly action. The program, Give and Grow Together, rewards good deeds in giving back to the earth with the gift of trees to be grown in our fire-damaged national forests.”

New EPA Policy Should Protect Communities from Mountaintop Removal

CertainTeed Brings New Sustainable Insulation(TM) to Market From California Manufacturing Facility

D.O.E. freezes distribution of substandard Aerosys products

Cool Products and Ideas:

Open source software compared to Photoshop. Readers?

Happy Easter to those celebrating and Happy Spring to everyone! As you can see, some people above have a spring in their step. Sorry to be so corny. I just love Spring.

Readers, don’t forget your own favs. Which one of the articles did you like?

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Green Speed Links for September 27, 2009

Anna@Green Talk — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 04:55:43 +0000

Photo by Fernando de Sousa.

Here is some of green speed link finds of the week. Some are via my email and others are from various reads on the web:

Power Management Project May Save Indiana University $500K a Year via Greener Computing:

IU invented software that puts some of its computers into deep sleep after a designated period of inactivity. In addition, the University’s Information technology department developed the “Go Green Gadget” which allows the users to track how much carbon emissions their individual computer is avoiding.

Hailing Cash for Appliance Program via GreenBuildingAdvisor:

October is Kitchen and Bath month. What better way to kick off this month, then with a stimulus package that enables you to obtain rebates on purchases of an energy star rated appliance? See here regarding the rebate program in your area. Check out cash for recycling options as well on the Energy Star site.

What is a Waterless/Water free Toilet System? via Merlin the Planet Saving Wizard.

Featuring Sun-Mar, a unique waterless composting toilet system. No need for a sanitary system, plumbing, or water and is low odor. According to the Company’s website:

“The way a Sun-Mar works is not only unique, it is also elegantly simple. Common sense tells us that the best way to compost is to use a drum. Luckily for Sun-Mar, our many international patents ensure that only Sun-Mar can take full advantage of the benefits a drum offers for mixing and aeration.”

Not being a compost toilet expert, how does this differ from other compost toilets on the market?

HUD offers $10 Million to Clean Up Dangerous Lead in Housing via HGTV Pro’s newletter:

“The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development is offering $10.1 million in grants to help eliminate dangerous lead-based paint hazards from lower income homes and protect young children from lead poisoning. HUD is making these grants available through its Healthy Homes Demonstration Technical Studies, and Lead Hazard Control Capacity Building programs.”

The Green and Healthy Home Technical Studies grants will

“improve knowledge of the effects residential green construction has on both indoor environmental quality and occupant health, with a particular focus on children and other sensitive populations.”

Honeywell Launches New Material to Improve Efficiency Power Output of Solar Panels Anti-Reflective Coating for Glass Improves Light Transmittance via Chloregy.

This new product helps make solar panels more efficient.

“Honeywell’s SOLARC, which is a liquid-based coating, can be used by all common types of PV modules. However, it provides the most benefits to rooftop installations, where space is limited and any increase in efficiency is critical. Because SOLARC coating reduces glare from the glass, it also contributes to a discreet, blend-in look of residential PV panels that has become very desirable to consumers installing the panels.”

Walmart Digs In Deep to the Sustainability Index via Greenbiz:

Two months after Walmart announced its sustainability index questionnaire for its suppliers, Joel Makower and Rand Waddoups, Walmart’s senior director for sustainability, sat down for a 90 minute conversation about the index. According to the article,

“First and foremost among the takeaways from today’s event is that calling this “Walmart’s Sustainability Index” is a misnomer; the concept of the project has first and foremost been to create an open and all-inclusive system to measure the environmental impacts of retailers’ products and operations.”

Read this article for more details about the interview or you can register to hear the webcast at Getting Ready for the Sustainability Index.

Got green news to share? Leave a comment! Don’t be shy. Self-promotion is absolutely allowed provided that it is green.

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