Greenpeace today released three videos to highlight what they say is the presence of "highly toxic substances" in video game consoles.
The stop-motion videos turn the bits and pieces of the Playstation 3, Wii and Xbox 360 into fictional spokesman defending the companies decisions.
About two years ago Microsoft, Nintendo and Sony were added to Greenpeace's Guide to Greener Electronics. The organization said they added the companies to the list because of their use of toxic substances, including polyvinyl chloride and brominated flame retardants, in the consoles.
Sony has not announced any plans to drop the use of the materials, while Microsoft says they will in 2011, according to Greenpeace. Nintendo says they will, but has not set a date, the organization says.
"These videos contrast the weak excuses of console makers about toxics phase out with the very real impact of toxic chemicals when old electronics end up being dumped in the developing world,". said Tom Dowdall, Toxics campaigner at Greenpeace International. "Do Sony laptop users deserve fewer toxic chemicals than Playstation gamers?"
"It might be easy to dismiss consoles makers' low scores as not playing ball with Greenpeace, but in fact when users are getting toxic chemicals as unwanted and unneeded extras in their that shiny new console box, it's the consumer who's getting short changed", he added.
Reached for comment Monday, Microsoft had this to say:
"Microsoft is committed to phasing out the use of substances that pose a risk to health or the environment in its consumer hardware electronic products. To this end, we have committed to phasing out the use of several substances such as Brominated Flame Retardants and Phthalates by December 31, 2010."
PLAYSTATION 3
WII
XBOX 360
Maybe we should all just go outside and play... video games.