Greenpeace has just released their Greener Electronics Guide that ranks the top 18 electronics manufacturers on the following criteria: hazardous substances, 'take back' and electronics recycling programs, and climate impacts of operations and products.
A main factor looked at in the companies' products was the presence of PVC (polyvinyl chloride) and BFRs (brominated flame retardants), both of which are hazardous e-waste materials that can leach chemicals into the ground when not properly recycled.
This article appears in Oct 21-27, 2010.