Games Consoles ‘not green enough’

Sony, Microsoft and Nintendo are not doing enough to eliminate potentially harmful chemicals and metals from their games consoles, according to environmental watchdog, GreenPeace. The body examined materials used inside PS2, XBOX 360 and Wii. Greenpeace said that while all three machines complied with European laws the consoles still contain harmful materials that “needed to be replaced”.

Nintendo is ranked at the bottom of Greenpeace’s global assesment of “green” tecnology companies. The organization has called on all technology firms to take immediate action to eliminate toxic chemicals from products.

The report found that both the PS3 and 360 contained very high levels of chemicals, called phthalates, which are used to ’soften’ flexible materials like wires and cable coatings. They are not permitted in toys sold in Europe but under EU regulations games consoles are not classed as toys.