Greenpeace slams Dell for broken promises

Greenpeace has stepped up its attacks on Dell

The latest study of consumer electronics manufacturers by Greenpeace will make for uncomfortable reading at a number of technology firms, which have been accused of backtracking on previous promises.

The Greenpeace Guide To Greener Electronics (PDF) placed Nokia at the top for the second year, followed by Sony Ericsson. Nokia gained points for phasing out brominated compounds, chlorinated flame retardants and antimony trioxide in all new handsets, and for its commitment to cut greenhouse emissions by a third.

Nintendo came last in the rankings at 18th place with a score of just 1.8 out of a possible 10. The company scored zero for its electronic waste efforts, and has failed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Lenovo was 17th with a score of 1.9, down from 2.5, and was just beaten by Microsoft, which scored 3.3 points. Microsoft lost points for its chemicals management and reluctance to apply Energy Star ratings to its games consoles.

Greenpeace saved most of its ire for Dell, however, unveiling a banner at the firm's headquarters that read: 'Michael, what the Dell? Design out toxins!'

Dell is accused of failing to meet its own promise to eliminate toxins including PVC and brominated flame retardants by the end of 2009. Greenpeace said that Dell had carried over the same penalty points earned in 2009.

Apple stayed in fifth place, but with a small reduction in its score. The company lost a point for a "lack of transparency" in its reporting on its use of renewable energy, the report said.