Nokia remains at the number one spot, a place it has held since 2008 due to its limited use of toxic chemicals and its energy efficiency. Microsoft was a surprising 17 out of 18 due to the change of mind after committing to remove PVC and BFR's from products and then not doing so.
The significance of this list is that Greenpeace, a well-respected environmental advocate, is informing the public on which companies are eco-friendly and which are not. In an age of going green, consumer electronics are held responsible to be cutting edge and lead the way toward energy efficiency and environmental protection. When there is little price difference, consumers will drift toward the products from companies with Corporate Social Responsibility for the environment. In fact, some even pay more for green products. The good PR that results from ranking high on Greenpeace's list will undoubtedly result in increased product sales because people will feel good when they are buying those environmentally friendly products.
Eventually, I think that all companies will have to have a large amount of CSR to be competitive. As transparency in companies increases with technology and public awareness, consumers will be more apt to buy TV's and laptops and cellphones from companies who show an interest in the well-being of the environment.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2010/oct/27/apple-greenpeace-greener-electronics-rankings
It is interesting that the companies mentioned are some of the most well-known consumer electronic companies. I would expect some lesser known as well as smaller companies to make Greenpeace's list, as they could specialize and gain an edge over larger companies from years of offering green products. Although it appears that the larger companies are focused more on profits resulting from good CRP practices than actually being a green company, they have certainly caught onto the latest trend. I wonder if these companies will be innovated enough to offer revolutionary green devices, rather than the same product only with eco-friendly modifications.
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