A 2010 commitment: I’m becoming a green geek

| Posted on Friday January, 8 2010 | 1 Comment

I decided I wanted to do my share of trying to change the world and make it a better place this year. I didn't have any specific plans to follow up on that decision except for going to the bio store more often, try to keep my energy use down, avoid products to light my fireplace with any kind of fossil oil thing or whatever you call the black, sticky thing we're running out of, and so on. I also joined the Green political party in Belgium and will try to read up more and inform myself more about all sorts of things concerning our planet. Last, but not least, I decided to add more restrictions to my diet and reduce my intake of fish after already having abandoned meat.

However, these things are all rather vague and no one is checking up on me, really. So this morning I decided to take a step that will probably be a lot harder for me: I am going to stop buying gadgets and all sorts of electronics that have ickie, harmful products in em. I will let Greenpeace help me decide what's good and what's not. If you know me, you know I am a huge (make that huuuuge) gadget lover so I think I will be regretting my decision pretty soon, but I intend to stick to it. I expect companies to respect my health, our planet and all humans and animals. If they don't, or not that much according to Greenpeace, I'm no longer their customer.

(For all you critical people out there: I knoooow, it's just one list and I haven't really looked into Greenpeace's criteria and research so no, I cannot say I know for sure Greenpeace is right and bla bla bla ;) I decided to trust them this year. If you think you have a reason why I shouldn't, feel welcome to drop it in a comment!)

So, let's see what brands I am going to avoid this year. Nintendo will be the biggest bummer, really. I already own a Nintendo DSi and we have a Wii and I think I will have to stop buying games for it now, just to be sure I'm sticking to my own resolution. Nintendo is on the absolute bottom of the list and for a brand that I really love and I think is really cool, that just sucks big time! Get it together Nintendo! I spend a lot of money on you, you know. No more extra Wii games, no more DS games, no more new products!

Microsoft, Dell and Acer products are also out of the question. But I already disliked those brands, so that'll be no problem. I'm applying a minimum 5.0 rule on the scale of Greenpeace. Anything under that number is a no buy for me in 2010, anything above it is an 'okidoki', but with the highest scoring brands first. I do wish Greenpeace would have put HTC on there...I'm not sure what to do now with HTC products. I'm assuming they're not being horrible but they're not scoring any points either or they would be on there. Thus, if I can avoid HTC, I will. Sony is scoring enough to be a 'to buy' so I'm giving Nintendo my own tiny little 'boehoe, I'm switching to Sony!' At least it's something.

A last note: I do have a marvelous gadget loving sweetie living with me who will, without a doubt, absolutely refuse to join me in this commitment. Therefor, if you see me mentioning new products of the 'no go' brands, I did not buy them. I promise not to use the sweetie to get products that I really want to have, but can't buy within the commitment. No 'well technically,  I'm not buying it...' this year. Now, I am going to start this green challenge today. Feel free to join me, mock me or arrange a head check for me in the comments!

Here's the full list and link to Greenpeace

7.3
Nokia -- Remains in first place with good scores on toxics use reduction, but loses points on energy.
6.9
Sony Ericsson -- Moves up with top marks on toxics elimination but weak on recycling.
5.3
Toshiba -- Good score on toxics elimination but needs to meet upcoming phase out commitment by March 2010.
5.3
Philips -- Loses points for failing to lobby for phase out of hazardous substance in legislation.
5.1
Apple -- Continues to improve, scoring best on eliminating toxic chemicals and e-waste criteria.
5.1
LG Electronics -- LG score improves, but is still penalized for postponing date for toxics phase out.
5.1
Sony -- Maintains overall score with better energy total, but needs to lobby for stronger chemicals legislation.
5.1
Motorola -- Slightly reduced score, due to lack of lobbying for stronger chemicals legislation.
5.1
Samsung -- Big drop due to penalty point for failing to meet commitment to phase out hazardous substances.
4.9
Panasonic -- Score unchanged, strongest on energy but poor on e-waste and recycling.
4.7
HP -- Improved position thanks to clear support for global emissions reductions, but needs to lobby for improved chemical legislation.
4.5
Acer -- Score unchanged but Acer is lobbying for stronger chemicals legislation.
4.5
Sharp -- Loses points due to poor information on toxics elimination and fails to support stronger chemicals legislation.
3.9
Dell -- Reduced score on energy criteria and penalty point for delaying toxics phase out till 2011.
3.5
Fujitsu -- Improved score due to support for global carbon emission reductions and cutting its own emissions.
2.5
Lenovo -- Score unchanged, with penalty point for indefinite delay on toxics phase out.
2.4
Microsoft -- Reduced score, fails to support strong chemicals legislation.
1.4
Nintendo -- Nintendo remains in last place with the same score.

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