The Sony Vaio TZ11 notebook, the Sony Ericsson T650i mobile phone, and the Sony Ericsson P1i PDA led the way in Greenpeace’s “Searching for Greener Electronics” survey, even though each scored just over half the 100 points available to win. The survey rated products for the presence of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) plastic, brominated flame retardants, antimony, beryllium, and phthalates. In addition, it included innovations such as mercury-free LED backlights in LED screens.
Fourteen major electronics brands agreed to participate in the survey, submitting information on their most environmentally friendly products–desktops, notebooks, mobile phones, and personal digital assistants. Besides the substitution of hazardous chemical substances, the 37 products were awarded points based on green design criteria, including energy efficiency and “recyclability.” The survey results were released this week at CeBIT in Hannover, Germany.
The organization said the survey demonstrates the steps being taken by manufacturers to improve the environmental performance of their products. Several products showcase toxic-free innovations going beyond current regulations such as the EU's RoHS directive. Others show clear efforts to improve on energy efficiency, recyclability, or upgradeability, said Greenpeace.
"Manufacturers need to embrace a truly comprehensive approach,” said Yannick Vicaire, Greenpeace’s international toxics campaigner. “Consumers should not have to choose between a toxic-free product or an energy-efficient one. They should not need to ask if being recyclable is better than being durable. When a product offers all those standards and is marketed with consumer-friendly services expanding the lifespan as much as possible, then we can say there is a true green product on the market.”
Sony
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