Greenpeace ranks electronics industry

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WASHINGTON, Nov. 19 (UPI) -- Environmental advocacy group Greenpeace released a green-electronics report saying used or upgraded components are better for the environment.

Greenpeace, in its "18th Guide to Greener Electronics," provides guidelines and corporate rankings for the electronics industry.

The advocacy group ranks Acer, a computer manufacturer with headquarters in Taiwan, as this year's greenest electronics company. Computer giant Apple dropped out of the top five, while cellphone company Research In Motion Ltd., maker of the Blackberry, ranked lowest among the 16 companies surveyed by Greenpeace.

Greenpeace states that consumer electronics companies use potentially harmful chemicals when producing things such as mobile phones and tablet computers. With accelerating technology, more of those products are discarded as new models enter the consumer market.

The advocacy group said it recommended that consumers purchase used models or upgrade the ones they have.

The guide ranked companies on their commitment to clean energy, green products and sustainable operations. It didn't rank specific products.