MANUFACTURERS of consumer electronics products are now introducing green products into the market as another means to attract consumers.
Environmental branding has now become complimentary with product design as the pressure for energy-efficient products is growing.

Greenpeace’s Guide to Greener Electronics can give an idea of how true manufacturers are to being green.

Giants like Samsung, Toshiba, Philips, Nokia, Dell, Sony, Lenovo, HP, Motorola, Acer, Apple, and Panasonic are now promoting products with an ecological twist to it. They are claiming to have undertaken green initiatives in the manufacturing, consumption and disposal lifecycle to ensure their products have a significantly reduced environmental impact.

With companies promoting every product these days with an eco spin, how do consumers select products that can make a difference to the environment? It is not good enough to go by the claims made by manufacturers.

For consumers who are concerned about the environment, a reference to Greenpeace’s Guide to Greener Electronics can give an idea of how true manufacturers are to being green.

The guide ranks 18 top manufacturers of personal computers, mobile phones, TVs and game consoles based on their policies on the use of hazardous substances and recycling responsibilities.

The ratings are based on feedback by consumers. In the latest edition of the quarterly guide, Samsung and Toshiba have been given the top spot, followed by Nokia, Sony, Dell and Lenovo. And Apple’s ranking has improved due to new products like the MacBook Air, which uses less toxic chemicals.

Since the guide was first published in August 2006, Greenpeace says that many electronics companies have improved their environmental policies and practice.

The non-governmental organisation also recently conducted a survey of desktop PCs, notebooks, handphones and personal digital assistants, evaluating these products on their use of hazardous chemicals, energy efficiency, overall product lifecycle and other factors such as the promotion of environmental-friendliness and innovation.

Based on the survey, which assessed 37 products submitted by 14 major electronics brands, it was revealed that no manufacturer could yet lay claim to producing a single, truly green product.

A truly green electronics product, according to Greenpeace, is one that is toxic-free, as well as energy-efficient.

Well, looks like there’s still a long way to go.

Manufacturers of consumer electronics certainly have a big task on their hands to help paint the tech scene greener.