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Greenpeace: Consoles are not 'green'

Nintendo judged the worst

None of the major games consoles are 'green enough', says environmental group Greenpeace in a report released today.

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While all three systems fully comply with European laws, the group says that all three also include harmful materials that should be replaced. Nintendo came in for the harshest criticism, Greenpeace stating the firm "doesn't have any environmental policies."

Zeina Al-Hajj, Greenpeace's International Toxic Campaign co-ordinator, said: "We were shocked with Nintendo; it was our biggest surprise." The company is described by the group as the least 'green' tech firm.

The PS3 and the Xbox 360 both contain harmful chemicals, with toxic substances also used as a flame retardant.

Nintendo told the BBC today that they fully comply will EU law and also consider toy laws to ensure their devices are safe.

Greenpeace said that game firms should work harder to provide safe ways for disposing of old consoles, via recycling programs and the like. Sony were praised for cutting substances from their laptops and phones, although the report does ask why such steps can't be taken for their consoles, too.

"None of these chemicals exist in Sony's Vaio laptop. So if they can do it for a laptop, why can't they push this for the console also?" added Ms Al-Hajj.

Along with Sony, electronics giants Samsung, Toshiba and Nokia were judged the most environmentally friendly technology firms. The likes of Sony Ericsson, LGE, Fujitsu, Apple and Lenovo make up the middle ground. At the bottom there are Motorola, Sharp, Microsoft, Panasonic and Acer. Nintendo is still further off all these firms, however.

"We have endeavoured to eliminate the use of PVC by replacing it with other materials and other methods," responded a Ninty representative. "However, we continue to use PVC in certain products such as AC adaptors, within the scope of regulations from the viewpoint of ensuring safety."

More as we get it.

1. The title should be Greenpeace: Get a life.

   I'll bet a million $ that many of these greenpeace "officials" are driving cars. And I bet consoles are alot safer then any of them!

   Hurrystream Tuesday, 20 May 2008, 10:32:1

2. Funny they don't consider the power usage of the 3 main consoles. And the fact there is alot less parts in a Wii to break. And Sony being the most eco-friendly.... They make so much stuff that is made to be thrown away in a year or two. While people have their original Nintendo NES system from years ago. I've thrown away 3 PS1's just because they always break down. Never once had a problem with a Nintendo product.

   Osimo Tuesday, 20 May 2008, 15:19:3

3. WEEE, RoHS in the EU/North America, EWRA in California and J-MOSS (and the adoption of WEEE/RoHS principles) in Japan are all absolutely anyone needs to make a green device these days. Greenpeace need only look at the fact that it is sold in Europe to see that it is RoHS compliant; Nintendo could net a $50,000 fine *per hardware unit* if it were not.

   For Greenpeace to say "Nintendo is not green" is horse manure. Nintendo are guilty of one thing; not publishing a document on the subject detailing every compliance, as Greenpeace would wish everyone does. I would not say this is hiding facts or being devisive, but more that they would - like any company - be far more responsible in achieving the goals Greenpeace want, than writing and updating a statement of compliance for Greenpeace. Apple make good, green devices, with low power consumption and high quality materials yet they do not publish a recycling program for ALL of them. Greenpeace have previously branded them the worst of all - not for noncompliance but because they could not find any information.

   And let's be honest, Greenpeace have absolutely no authority on the issue. Without documentation from Nintendo etc., Greenpeace can only rail against companies saying they're not green enough, but really don't have any proof. I can't think of a single statistical study where you can just move a datapoint because of your opinion of it, and still have the results to be valid..

   Matt S Tuesday, 20 May 2008, 15:19:14

4. You bet, but you don't know.

   To me this matter, even disregarding enviromental considerations, I wanna play my games for many years to come, and don't want them to make me sick.

   Letharion Tuesday, 20 May 2008, 15:30:17

5. This is laughable.

   With so many real issues to tackle, from fuel source controversies, to wildlife management issues, consoles makers are really small potatoes.

   I suspect the real 'interest' from greenpeace is a marketing interest. Criticize the game industry and you will get the attention of millions of gamers.

   I suppose I can understand that however, I'd sure like to see them focus on something meaningful.

   meregistered Tuesday, 20 May 2008, 15:35:54

6. Greenpeace is a ruthless eco-terrorist organization determined to rule the world.

   Yo Joe! Tuesday, 20 May 2008, 17:21:10

7. I think the fact that the people of the world are thinking more about how to preserve the planet is giving greenpeace less to complain about. Why not go for video game consoles?

   I can't wait for the report that says "The heat byproduct of video game consoles is destroying the ozone layer".

   Really...How 'bout you fight a fight worth fighting rather than just trying to pick one with the game console manufacturers.

   Reikoshea Tuesday, 20 May 2008, 17:29:45

8. You would think they could find something better to complain about. Maybe they should develop a game that requires you to save the planet or something. Gotta be more constructive that sitting around b******g because something has a toxic chemical in it or because it uses too much power.

   F Greenpeace Tuesday, 20 May 2008, 18:19:21

9. Greenpeace, please join Paul McCartney in the Shut Up and Sit Down section. As you may recall he was put there for grousing over the carbon footprint in shipping his hybrid car by jet plane despite the car being free for one, and for another costing more than a super-majority of humans on Earth make post-taxes for ten years.

   While there Greenpeace, feel free to partake of the paper and pens to come up with a better alternative to making video games that would be in keeping with your vision of what is sufficiently green, as well as all requisite engineering schematics. We'd love to see them.

   suitepotato Tuesday, 20 May 2008, 18:41:34

10. Greenpeace is an organization I don't trust, they have put out so many half truths, lies etc. etc.

    So since I don't trust them I pretty much ignore anything they say.

    KBSoftware Wednesday, 21 May 2008, 01:36:30

11. Hurrystream, I checked the power usage for PS3 and WII. It appears the PS3 uses 120-140 Watts during normal usage. Wii uses 18. Odd that Greenpeace didn't include this.

    Dave Armstrong Wednesday, 21 May 2008, 04:23:22

12. You can try making your consoles out of twigs. but i'll play on w/e i want! people forget that Sony's Vaio laptop is easily over 1,000 dollars. and the xbox 360? least i saw for a regular one is 350$, Wii, around 200, and who cares about the ps3, it's the least played system.

    Fuck off greenpeace Wednesday, 21 May 2008, 18:52:52