In a new version of Greenpeace's Guide to Greener Electronics, the organization has named Nokia the most eco-friendly electronics manufacturer.

On Greenpeace's ten-point system, Nokia scored seven points — an improvement on past rankings. Greenpeace's scores are based on a variety of green issues. Manufacturers that want to score well must be toxic-free, energy-efficient and offer responsible recycling options.

According to the report, Nokia's rank is based on several factors.  First, 25 percent of the energy Nokia uses for manufacturing comes from renewable sources, and the company plans to increase that number to 50 percent by 2010. Other improvements include a significantly improved cell phone recycling program in India — Nokia now has 354 collection points where customers can return old cell phones to the maker for free.

The report also notes Nokia's improvements in the area of toxic chemicals, saying, "Nokia scores very well on toxic chemical issues, launching new models free of PVC (polyvinyl chloride) since the end of 2005 and aiming to have all new models free of brominated flame retardants (BFRs) and antimony trioxide (a chemical flame retardant) by the end of 2009."

Samsung and Fujitsu Siemens Computers took second and third places respectively, with scores of 5.7 and 5.5 points. Samsung also scored well on chemical elimination, as well as for improving the energy-efficiency of their products. Fujitsu has set a 2010 deadline for eliminating the chemicals Greenpeace considers most harmful from its products, but the company's score was lowered due to its poor recycling program. Sony Ericsson and Sony topped the last edition of the list and are landed in the top five in this edition

Nintendo received the dubious distinction of least green electronics maker. The company received a score of only 0.8 points and was criticized for its poor disposal policies for used electronics, in addition to its continuing use of toxic chemicals. The next lowest manufacturer was Microsoft, at 2.2. Apple, Lenovo, Motorola and Sharp all scored relatively poorly.

The rankings in this edition of the Greener Electronics Guide are improved over the last edition, when scores dropped across the board due to new climate change criteria. Nokia and Samsung have both made impressive progress over the last few months in an effort to bring their products up to the new standards.

The full ninth edition report is available on Greenpeace's website. We previously discussed the eighth edition. Greenpeace updates its report every three months.