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Toxic Tech Test - How have the companies responded?
Thousands of people have asked the makers of their mobiles, computers and TV's to stop using toxic chemicals.
Samsung and Nokia have already committed to phasing out these unnecessary chemicals. Sony is removing them from their TV's and computers. So far, thanks to your pressure a growing number of other companies like Bang and Olufsen and Motorola are now looking into doing the same to phase out these chemicals.
But unfortunately that doesn't apply to all the companies in the test. Discover which companies think they can ignore the issue, those who think nice words replace action and those that are taking your concerns seriously.
Bottom of the class come the companies who haven't even bothered so far to respond to emails from concerned customers:
Dell, IBM, Siemens, Acer, Akai, Grundig, JVC and Tulip. Not only does it appear that these companies don't take your questions seriously but they continue to use toxic chemicals that are harmful to the environment and humans when there are safer alternatives. Siemens even rejects some mails you send as "spam"!
The following companies have either responded directly by email or have contacted Greenpeace directly on this issue since the start of the action. Some responses have been positive while others are all nice words and no action:
Bang and Olufsen:
B&O reacted quickly to being on the Greenpeace list by indicating it will look into removing these chemicals as part of their overall plans to tackle toxic chemicals in their products. It has also sent out an email directly answering the questions from the action.
Greenpeace response: We will continue our dialogue with B&O to set a firm date for this phase out and hope it will soon join industry leaders like Samsung and Nokia. Read the full email from B&O and our response.
Apple:
Apple had already contacted us directly to say they intend to stop using toxic brominated flame retardant chemicals but it does not have a phase out date. Apple has not responded to customer emails.
Greenpeace response: We will continue the dialogue with Apple to set a date for this change so it can be removed from the red list of companies.
Motorola:
Motorola sent an email to say they are considering removing toxic chemicals but again there is no timescale for the plan.
Greenpeace response: Motorola is falling behind competitors like Nokia who have concrete plans to make cleaner less toxic products. Read the full email from Motorola and our reaction.
Toshiba:
Toshiba sent an email to customers saying it is progressing with the phase out of toxic substances as part of a special program, Green Procurement.
Greenpeace response: The pages of the Toshiba Green Procurement Guide do not answer the questions in the original action. Toshiba gives no assurance that these chemicals are not used in their products and fails to provide a phase-out date.
Panasonic:
Panasonic email: "Ongoing research is finding safe alternatives for the substances you have mentioned. At this time, however, there aren't any available that fulfil our strict safety demands that we place on our products."
Greenpeace response: Clearly, Panasonic lags behind the leaders in this product sector, Samsung and Sony, who are way ahead of Panasonic in committing to phase out harmful chemicals. Read the full email from Panasonic and our response.
HP/Compaq:
HP responded by email to the action: "HP is committed to proactively addressing global environmental challenges. We will continue to build partnerships with key stakeholders and communities; develop innovative technologies and business solutions; and balance the interests of our corporation with the needs of the environment."
Greenpeace response: HP fails to provide a phase-out commitment and date for the removal of brominated flame retardants, PVC and other related chemicals of concern. HP is phasing out some hazardous substances, but this is only as required by current laws in the EU or other countries. Read the full HP email and our response.
Sharp:
Sharp only responded to Dutch emails to say that questions about mobile phones should go to the provider Sharp uses to distribute its mobiles - Vodafone.
Greenpeace response - Sharp is hiding behind Vodafone. Does it really not know or care what is in the phones it makes? It seems Sharp is just trying to dodge the question about toxic chemicals in its products.
Daewoo:
Email to Dutch customers: Our products conform to all European laws including those on brominated flame retardants.
Greenpeace response: Currently EU law bans only 2 types of brominated flame retardent which have been phased out by most companies a long time ago. What about the other toxic chemicals in Daewoo products? Daewoo has failed to answer the questions asked about chemicals in their products or set a good example like Nokia or Sony.
Want to know more about toxic chemicals and efforts to control them?
You can also discover about toxic chemicals in other products and which companies are the good guys and those who don't care about toxic pollution by checking out our chemical home.
Help us continue to campaign for a cleaner greener world! Become a supporter.
You can also register as a cyberactivist to recieve news and get involved in our campaigns.
For more information on toxic chemicals in computers and issue of electronic waste visit the computer take back campaign.
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