Sony, Nintendo and Microsoft consoles ‘not green enough’
May 28, 2008
Greenpeace have said Sony Playstation 3, Microsoft Xbox 360, and Nintendo Wii all contain potentially harmful chemicals and metals. Although all the consoles comply with European laws the harmful materials “needed to be replaced”.
Nintendo is ranked bottom of Greenpeaces global assessment of “green” technology companies. Greenpeace said Nintendo’s environmental policies are “non-existent”. Zeina Al-Hajj, Greenpeaces International Toxic Campaign co-ordinator said “Nintendo doesn’t have any environmental policies.” Ms A-Hajj added “We were shocked with Nintendo; it was our biggest shock. Recently they added a list of certain commitments they have, which purely comply with legislation.”
Greenpeace is calling for all technology firms to eliminate toxic eliminate toxic chemicals from chemicals from products.
The report showed high levels of chemicals called phthalates in Playstation 3 and Xbox 360. These chemicals are not permitted in toys sold in Europe but EU regulations say games consoles are not classed as toys.
Beryllium is an element which is not banned under EU law but has been linked to lung cancer when dust and fumes are created through some recycling processes.
A spokesman for Sony said the company had joined other companies to establish the European Recycling Platform. Greenpeace however criticized Sony for failing to agree to stop using PVC and brominated flame retardants (BFR) its consoles.
Ms Al-Hajj described the electronics industry as “one of the most innovative industries…on the planet” but said the electronics firms needed to take responsibility.
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