Greenpeace first released its 'Guide to Greener Electronics' in August 2006. The guide ranks the 18 top manufacturers of personal computers, mobile phones, TVs and games consoles according to their policies on toxic chemicals, recycling and climate change. The 14th version of the Guide to greener electronics was published in January 2010. Nokia stays in 1st place with 7.3 out of 10, while Nintendo remains in last place with the same score of 1.4 out of 10.

Greenpeace first released its 'Guide to Greener Electronics' in August 2006. The guide ranks the 18 top manufacturers of personal computers, mobile phones, TVs and games consoles according to their policies on toxic chemicals, recycling and climate change. The 14th version of the Guide to greener electronics was published in January 2010. 

Nokia stays in 1st place with a slightly reduced score of 7.3, losing a point for failing to do proactive lobbying for the revised RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances in electronics) Directive to adopt a methodology for further restrictions of hazardous substances, and immediately ban chlorinated and brominated substances. Nintendo remains in last place with the same score of 1.4 out of 10.
Nintendo scores most points on chemicals; it has put games consoles on the market that have PVC-free internal wiring. It has banned phthalates and is monitoring use
of antimony and beryllium. Although it is endeavouring to eliminate the use of PVC, it has not set a timeline for its phase-out. It continues to score zero on all e-waste criteria.


The ranking criteria reflect the demands of the Greenpeace Toxic Tech campaign to the electronics companies. Greenpeace'three demands are that companies should:

  •     Clean up their products by eliminating hazardous substances.
  •     Takeback and recycle their products responsibly once they become obsolete.
  •     Reduce the climate impacts of their operations and products.


The use of harmful chemicals in electronics prevents their safe recycling when the products are discarded. Companies scored marks out of 51 this has then been calculated to a mark out of 10 for simplicity. The full criteria for scoring the companies is available. Download the full pdf of the scorecard.

Each score is based solely on public information on the companies website. Companies found not to be following their published policies will be deducted penalty point in future versions of the guide.

The guide is updated every few months. The current edition was published on January 7, 2010.