A new Greenpeace Product Survey released at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas on January 6 grades the greenest desktop computers, notebooks, netbooks, computer monitors, mobile phones, smart-phones and televisions available on store-shelves in the first quarter of 2011.

“Our survey shows that electronics manufacturers have made demonstrable progress over the past few years by producing products that are free of the worst toxic chemicals, more energy efficient and more easily taken back for reuse or recycling,” said Renee Blanchard, Greenpeace International Toxics Campaigner. “Major brands are responding to consumer demand for greener gadgets, and we expect them to continue to innovate and make all their products, and not just a niche few, with these higher green standards.”

In June 2010, Greenpeace invited 21 leading electronics companies to participate in its third Green Electronics Survey. The companies were asked to submit their greenest products from across seven categories. Eighteen companies rose to the challenge, sharing their most prized environmentally-friendly products. Greenpeace report titled ‘Towards Green Electronics‘ ranks these products and assesses the progress made over the past year by consumer electronic companies on their public commitments to green their products and reduce their impact on the environment.

The Asus VW-247H-HF computer monitor scored highest with 7.5 points (on a 10 point scale). Other product category leaders include the Sharp LC-52SE1 television (6.46), the Sony Ericsson Aspen smart-phone (6.21), the Samsung GT-S75550 mobile phone (7.03), the Asus UL30A notebook computer (5.59), Acer TM8172 netbook computer (5.08), and the HP Compaq 6005 Pro Ultra-slim desktop (6.06).

For the past six years, Greenpeace has been campaigning for electronics companies to reduce their use of toxic chemicals and improve take-back and responsible recycling programs. At every stage of a product’s lifecycle, from material extraction, through production and consumer use and ultimate disposal, electronic products can impact human health and the environment.

“It clear from our research that the consumer electronics giants can design and bring to market greener products,” said Blanchard. “The next challenge for the industry is to design green products last longer and can be repaired rather than replaced every few years.”