Apple is getting greener, according a recently released list of electronics companies taking responsibility for waste.

Greenpeace released its Green Electronics Guide last week. The guide ranks mobile and PC manufacturers for global policies and practices regarding hazardous waste, recycling, and disposal. The group says it bases the information on publicly-available information, as well as communications with the companies. Apple's communications seemed to improve the company's standings.

Apple rose from the bottom of the barrel, from 14th to 10th on the list, while Sony sunk from the 11th spot to take last place. Greenpeace said that Apple is a "top mover with concrete timelines to eliminate the worst chemicals." Still, the maker of iPod, iMac, and iPhone lost points for failing to market a green product and for a "weak" take-back program.

Earlier this year, Apple founder and CEO Steve Jobs promised the company would do more to improve its environmental policies and practices. Other large corporations such as Wal-Mart have also asked its suppliers to go green.

Greenpeace said Sony's failure to implement consistent take-back policies lowered its ranking, but Sony Ericsson fared better in fourth position.

Nokia rose from second to top the list, while Dell ranked second and Lenovo ranked third.

Nokia rose to the top spot for eliminating the worst chemicals from many of its products but the company still needs to report its recycling rates, according to the guide. Dell shows a commitment to global take-back efforts but still has models with harmful chemicals, and Lenovo lost footing for failure to implement a global take-back program, Greenpeace said.

The rankings reflect Greenpeace's demands that electronics companies eliminate hazardous substances and take back their products for responsible recycling once they have become obsolete.