Microsoft is making no effort whatsoever in demonstrating sustainable electronic products at CES.  After several in-person requests for information, they have nothing to show or say for environmental concerns.  Unlike other leading companies represented at CES, Microsoft does not showcase green products or provide information or examples of sustainability.  They do not provide concrete information for their future plans in regards to greening their products, nor do they mention any general position on responsibility towards the environment.  Based on their presence at CES, Microsoft does not seem to have environmental concerns on their radar at all.  This should not be surprising, since they are ranked 17th out of 18 IT companies in the Guide to Greener Electronics.

In the ranking, Microsoft loses most points on the chemicals criteria, as it fails to show support for improvements to the revised EU RoHS Directive (Restriction of Hazardous Substances in electronics); specifically, a methodology for further restrictions of hazardous substances, and an immediate ban on brominated flame retardants (BFRs), chlorinated flame retardants (CFRs) and PVC vinyl plastic. The company has committed to removing PVC and BFRs from its hardware products by or before 2010, and phthalates by the end of 2010. However, it needs to put products on the market that are free from BFRs in printed circuit boards before it can score points for this criterion in the Guide to Greener Electronics.

— Tad

9:00 pm  •  8 January 2010 Share on facebook