Greenpeace has investigated the biggest names in the technology industry and published a ranking of their 'green' credentials.

Judged on electronic waste policies and the use of toxic chemicals, only Dell and Nokia scraped a barely respectable score. But Apple, Motorola and Lenovo are being taken to task for not doing enough.

The Greenpeace scorecard highlights which of the major electronics companies is doing the most to remove the worst toxic chemicals from their products, and which companies have good recycling programmes for obsolete products.

Reducing the use of toxic chemicals cuts pollution from old products and makes recycling safer, easier and cheaper. Companies with good recycling schemes strive to ensure that their products do not end up in the electronic waste yards of Asia.

Nokia and Dell share the top spot in the rankings. According to Greenpeace, they believe that as producers they should bear individual responsibility for taking back and reusing or recycling their discarded own-brand products.

Nokia leads the way in eliminating toxic chemicals from its handsets. Since the end of 2005 all new Nokia mobiles have been free of polyvinyl chloride, and all new components will be free of brominated flame retardants from the start of 2007.

Dell has also set ambitious targets for eliminating these harmful substances from its products.

Third place goes to HP, followed by Sony Ericsson in fourth. The top 10 is rounded out by Samsung, Sony, LG Electronics, Panasonic, Toshiba and Fujitsu Siemens. Apple comes in at number 11, followed by Acer, Motorola and finally Lenovo.

"It is disappointing to see Apple ranking so low in the overall guide. It is meant to be a world leader in design and marketing, and should also be a world leader in environmental innovation," said Iza Kruszewska, Greenpeace International toxics campaigner.

"The scorecard will provide a dynamic tool to 'green' the electronics sector by setting off a race to the top.

"By taking back their discarded products, companies will have incentives to eliminate harmful substances used in their products, since this is the only way they can ensure the safe reuse and recycling of electronic waste."