Rediff Business Desk
Six companies led by India-origin people, including banking behemoth Citigroup and soft drinks major PepsiCo, have been named among the greenest -- or, the most environmentally friendly -- companies in America by Newsweek magazine.
Among the firms led by India-origin individuals, three companies have made it into the top 50, with software entity Adobe Systems headed by Shantanu Narayen is ranked 16th. Mobile phone maker Motorola has cornered the 21st spot. Indian-origin Sanjay Jha is the co-CEO at Motorola.
Vikram Pandit-led Citi is in the 24th position.
Indra Nooyi-led PepsiCo is ranked 119th, while financial services firm Hartford Financial Services and IT company Cognizant Technology are at 303rd and 449th positions, respectively.
Hartford Financial is headed by Ramani Ayer, while Francisco D'Souza is at the helm of Cognizant.
The list of 500 Greenest big companies in the US compiled by Newsweek is topped by technology giant Hewlett-Packard.
Check out the top 10 greenest companies in the US. . .
The 10 greenest companies in the US
1. Hewlett-Packard
One of the largest technology companies in the world, Hewlett-Packard tops the greenest companies list. Newsweek gives credit to the company's initiatives to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
It is also the first major IT company to report GHG emissions in its supply chain. The company has made an effort to remove toxic substances from its products, though Greenpeace, wants it to do better.
Green score: 100
The 10 greenest companies in the US
2. Dell
Dell is ranked second in the list of greenest companies.
It ranks 4th among the top US corporate users of renewable energy. Its headquarters uses 100 per cent renewable energy. Dell's desktop and laptop computers will consume up to 25 per cent less energy by 2010, says Newsweek.
It leads in terms of product take-back and recycling programmes.
Green score: 98.87
The 10 greenest companies in the US
3. Johnson & Johnson
Johnson & Johnson is ranked third for its efforts on curbing issues that affect climate change adversely. It has strong environmental management in place, though it has not pledged to become carbon neutral.
It also has the largest fleet of hybrid vehicles in the world. However, in the pharma sector, it is among the top emitter of toxic pollutants.
Green score: 98.56
The 10 greenest companies in the US
4. Intel
Intel is the leading user of renewable energy in the US. Product development at Intel focusses on energy efficiency.
While increasing the processing speed of chips, the company also focusses on reducing energy consumption. It is known for its initiatives to reduce waste and release of toxics.
Green score: 95.12
The 10 greenest companies in the US
5. IBM
IBM had formal environmental policies in place since 1971. New employees undergo environmental awareness training.
It is the only company to receive EPA's Climate Protection Award twice. According to Newsweek, it is spending $1 billion a year to double the capacity of data centres without increasing their power consumption by 2010.
Green score: 94.08
The 10 greenest companies in the US
6. State Street
State Street gets the highest score among asset managers in 2008 for integrating climate change strategies into its business model, states Newsweek. It makes efforts to reduce electricity usage and air travel.
Green score: 93.62
The 10 greenest companies in the US
7. Nike
Nike leads in environmental management of suppliers. It requires over 650 contract factories in 52 countries to have written environmental policies.
The company's noteworthy policies include the use of organic cotton, reduction of waste. It also made a basket ball show from environment friendly materials.
Green score: 93.28
The 10 greenest companies in the US
8. Bristol-Myers Squibb
The company's mission is to cut direct and indirect GHG emissions by 10 per cent by 2010. It also plans to reduce emissions of sulphur oxides, nitrogen oxides, and hydrogen chloride.
Its facilities across the world will strictly monitors production and disposal of non-hazardous waste.
Green score: 92.62
The 10 greenest companies in the US
9. Applied Materials
The company designs products to use less water, energy, greenhouse gases. It has also expanded its solar manufacturing equipment business.
It aims to cut water usage by 10 per cent over 5 years.
Green score: 91.79
The 10 greenest companies in the US
10. Starbucks
Starbucks Coffee Company is the leading retailer of specialty coffee. As part of its green initiatives, Starbucks plans to source products in environmental friendly ways.
It urges suppliers to cut down on water usage, and uses recycled paper products and organic coffee. The company also plans to introduce green building standards in all new buildings by 2010. However, it faces allegations that its stores waste water, states Newsweek.
Green score: 91.63
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