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Lenovo Vaults to Top in Greenpeace ‘Greener Technologies’ Rankings

Greenpeace’s global ranking of technology companies for environmental policies has a new leader – Lenovo.

In its latest “Toxic Tech” rankings of “Guide to Greener Technologies,” Lenovo displaced Nokia as the leader among 14 firms that were rated. Not too long ago, Lenovo ranked last in the first guide that the global environmental organization published in August of last year.

Apple, meanwhile, remained in last place.

“Given the growing mountains of e-waste in China - both imported and domestically generated – it is heartening to see a Chinese company taking the lead, and assuming responsibility at least for its own branded waste," said Iza Kruszewska, the International Toxics Campaigner for Greenpeace. "The challenge for the industry now is to see who will actually place greener products on the market."

Lenovo received top scores from Greenpeace for e-waste policies and practice, a “takeback” campaign for old equipment, and recycling efforts in all countries where its products are sold.

“However, the company has yet to put on the market products that are free of the worst chemicals,” Greenpeace said.

“Progress on all criteria but loses points for not having products free of the worst chemicals on the market yet,” Greenpeace added in a chart explaining its rankings for Lenovo.

“Demonstrating corporate social responsibility is important to our success and that of our industry,” said Fran O’Sullivan, senior vice president of the Product Group for Lenovo. “We realize that continual improvement of our environmental performance is a long term commitment, and we are focused on taking the steps necessary to be a leader in this arena.”

Lenovo began offering free recycling of Lenovo desktops, notebooks, monitors and servers, Lenovo or IBM-branded ThinkPad notebooks, ThinkCentre desktops and ThinkVision monitors in China as of last December.

Nokia finished second followed by Sony Ericsson, Dell and Samsung.

Sony Ericsson has a major operation in Research Triangle Park, and Dell’s largest manufacturing plant is located in Winston-Salem.

Referring to Sony Ericsson, Greenpeace noted: “The first to set 2008 as its deadline to put on the market products free of the worst chemicals. Some products are already greener, but needs better takeback reporting.”

Dell has launched an aggressive recycling campaign, which Greenpeace acknowledged. “Still among the top but loses points for not having models free of the worst chemicals. Strong support for takeback,” Greenpeace said.

Apple, meanwhile, was strongly criticized: “Holding firmly in last place: low scores on almost all criteria and no progress.”

However, Apple spokeswoman Sheryl Seitz rejected the environmental group's ranking system in an interview with The Associated Press.

"Apple has a strong environmental track record and has led the industry in restricting and banning toxic substances such as mercury, cadmium and hexavalent chromium, as well as many BFRs," or brominated flame retardants, Seitz said.

According to standards developed by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Apple products are not especially toxic, the AP said.

The Green Electronics Council, funded by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, generally gave Apple better scores than Lenovo and Dell based on 23 criteria established by the IEEE, including materials used, energy conservation and packaging.

Tom van Dyck, whose As You Sow organization promotes socially responsible investing, said Greenpeace's analysis was generally fair, according to The AP.

Greenpeace scores companies on two criteria:

• “Clean up their products by eliminating hazardous substances;

• “Takeback and recycle their products responsibly once they become obsolete.”