Games consoles not green enough, claims Greenpeace
Manufacturers must do more to rid their products of nasties
The PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 and Wii may all be green in the eyes of the European Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) directive - but all three have failed to meet Greenpeace’s standards.
The organisation today published a report that details exactly how many dangerous chemicals it claims are used in the manufacture of each of the three consoles. The report is the result of Greenpeace’s own deconstruction of each games machine, with further analysis conducted on its behalf by two independent laboratories.
Caution! This product contains phthalates - according to Greenpeace
The study uncovered a whole host of chemicals in each console that, in Greenpeace’s eyes, could damage the environment, your health or both. However, all three consoles comply with RoHS directive, the organisation admitted, as they have to, by European law.<
Indeed, the report adds little beyond chemical analysis to the Greenpeace's last attempt to take on the console giants, back in December 2007. Now, as then, the eco-organisation takes the companies to task before admitting that the products are within the law and that the manufacturers are working to eliminate the use of the materials Greenpeace wants them to stop using.
Still, without Greenpeace nagging at companies and lobbying of governments, would Sony, Microsoft and Nintendo have achieved this much? We suspect not.
The study focused on six groups of chemicals, including bromine, which is used for fire retardancy; lead, used in solder; and phthalates and PVC, both of which are used in plastic coatings for wires.
Worryingly, Greenpeace found pthalates in both the Xbox 360 and PS3. Phthalates are believed to interfere with sexual development in male mammals. Were the consoles classified by Euro bureaucrats as toys, some of the phthalates they include would be not be permitted to be used in the machines. However, fanboys will be pleased to note, games consoles aren't mere toys.
Bromine was found in just over 50 per cent of the analysed consoles' components, including the PS3’s fan housing and in the Wii’s white case.
However, Greenpeace didn't find any lead in the eight or nine samples of electrical solder taken from each of the consoles. And it didn't find any cadmium in the wiring.
Greenpeace didn't single out the worst offender among the three console makers - the firm has a separate ranking system for that, which points the finger at Nintendo, since you ask. But it concludes that all three manufacturers must “make significant improvements” if they’re to make good their own promises on the use of hazardous chemicals and materials.
Microsoft has, according to Greenpeace, committed itself to eliminating the use of PVC and brominated flame-retardants in its hardware by 2010. Sony’s set to take the same action in the same timeframe - but not for its games consoles. Nintendo is also planning to eliminate PVC use, but Greenpeace said it hasn’t been given a schedule by the firm.
COMMENTS
Are these the same people....
Who want us to own Hybrid Cars even though the cost more in Carbon Emmissions to make than they will offset in their lives. They are also not as fuel efficeient as claimed (in fact my 13 year old Ford Fiesta 1.3 is more fuel effiecient)
To put this in context, so NO Greenpeace[sic] person owns anything with electronics in them then...are they are ALL Hypocrites.
Greenpeace is deaf
Greenpeace is about raising issues to get their agenda on the table. They aren't interested in a dialogue with manufacturers, or anyone to be honest. As long as they can feel good about themselves in their smug little ways everyone else can go get stuffed.
Had a 'discussion' with Greenpeace in a town centre. I wanted them to convince me to sign their petition. They weren't interested in talking, only my signature.
Consoles... whoopee
I could understand if they're worried about the long-term dissemination of nasty chemicals into the ecosystem after the consoles have been land-filled.
But then again, we pump so many bad chemicals in to the ecosystem, a few million consoles is unlikely to make much difference. Hell, last time anyone checked there was a whole bunch of Russian nuclear submarines going rotten along the banks of the Volga (or some other river, I think it was that one) that'll start depositing reactor-grade nuclear material directly into the sea fairly soon, right near a major fishing zone.
Let's see Greenpeace get the Rainbow Warrior there and clean that mess up, then we'll talk about my controller f*cking up the delicate balance of nature.
Mines the coat with the Bill Hicks CDs in it
Manufacture
Wow, most posters have totally misunderstood the issue.
Greenpiece[sic] are bitching about the nasty stuff used to manufacture electronics.
You know: arsenic bearing compounds, hydrofluoric acid, etc.
Even Paris would've understood that.
Studies?
A number of comments regarding landfills and leaching but none giving numbers. Where are the studies showing the rates of leaching for the products mentioned and areas where this has become a problem? Please provide links.
