Captain Planet has a bone to pick with Apple, according to recent Greenpeace rankings of major electronics makers for their environmental friendliness. Placing last out of 14 companies, Apple's green-cred is in question, which may lead some to believe that they've reopened the Atari landfill to give the E.T. game some company.

The criteria for the rankings involve each company's efforts to limit the use of hazardous materials and to ensure the recycling of broken or obsolete goods. Lenovo took top honors this year, followed by Nokia and Sony Ericsson. Dell came in fourth, despite its "Plant a Tree For Me" campaign (the one that stirred the environmentalist in Dan Costa). Apple, on the other hand has "failed to stop using several types of harmful chemicals in its manufacturing, and--unlike many other companies--has not set any timetable for phasing them out."

Apple contends that its rating system is too subjective and doesn't agree with the rankings, citing its strong environmental track record. Of course, Greenpeace also ruffled Apple's feathers with the spoof Web site called Green My Apple. While many companies are attempting to be Earth-friendly, I'm sure many more are chockfull of unsightly environmental practices. In the meantime, I'd like to remind everyone that "The power is yours!" [via USA Today]

Post by Andre Bermudez