Greenpeace is throwing a penalty flag on HP, Lenovo and Dell.  Greenpeace has deducted a penalty point from the 3 companies in their updated  Guide to Greener Electronics.  The ‘Guide’ ranks consumer electronics, computer and gadget makers on their e-waste rankings and ‘green’ quotient.  Dell, HP and Lenovo are being chastised for breaking a promise to phase-out toxic chemicals in 2009.  Of the world’s five top PC makers, only Apple (who Greenpeace has spanked in the past) is regarded as making a significant commitment to cleaning up its act.  Philips has jumped from 15th to 4th place in the list of electronics companies who are fighting e-waste, promoting recycling and greener practices.  HP, Lenovo and Dell had committed to eliminate vinyl plastic (PVC) and brominated flame retardants (BFRs) from their products by the end of 2009 but now say they won’t make the deadline.

Greenpeace has found that electronics manufacturers only go green when they feel public and consumer pressure to do so (see Apple).

Since it’s tax time so you may want to consider a tax-deductable donation to Greenpeace.