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Apple Computer performed badly in the environmental rankings coming in at 11th place with Greenpeace rating the company with 'Low scores on almost all criteria'. However, the company's recent record has been patchy - earlier this year a shareholder complained that Apple lobbied against legislation that would force computer makers to fund most of the cost of recycling.

The report concludes that the 'company fails to embrace the precautionary principle, withholds its full list of regulated substances and provides no timelines for

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eliminating toxic PVC.'

Finnish electronics giant Nokia achieved first place in the Greenpeace rankings by its policy of eliminating toxic chemicals from its mobile phones. Since the end of 2005 all new models of mobiles are free of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and all new components to be free of brominated flame retardants (BFRs), from the start of 2007. Dell Computer and Hewlett Packard, both known for their environmental commitment, achieved second and third places respectively.

Dell has announced plans to triple the amount of products that it recovers from customers by the end of 2009.

Also given the thumbs down is Chinese manufacturer Lenovo, which took over the IBM PC division a year ago. It came bottom of the listings.

'It is disappointing to see Apple ranking so low in the overall guide. They are meant to be world leaders in design and marketing, they should also be world leaders in environmental innovation.' said Iza Kruszewska, Greenpeace International toxics campaigner.

The survey is part of Greenpeace's campaign against the use of toxic chemicals that are harmful to the environment.