Zune Gets Microsoft Dinged by Greenpeace

Greenpeace, that guardian of all things green, is bumping noses with Microsoft today via a new report out on green electronics. It finds the Zune maker down near the bottom of the list, in part because of selective practices involving the chemicals integrated into the player's body.

Greenpeace scored Microsoft 2.7 out of 10, which you probably guessed puts it in the bad category. The environmental organization, according to the Associated Press, was "judged on its Zune MP3 player and Xbox game console" and "lost points for its pledge to eliminate toxic chemicals only in 2011 and for having no voluntary takeback program."

Apple, by contrast, climbed the list from the last report issued earlier this year. Microsoft, apparently in response to the Greenpeace report, issued a statement saying "in our consumer electronics business, we comply with and exceed all environmental guidelines and regulations, while ensuring the durability, safety and performance of products."