The 2008 Favorite Green Brands Index, just released from Outlaw Consulting, rates the top 15 green brands among young American trendsetters. The big surprise? Top finishers earned their reps for some unexpected reasons.

In particular, some brands were voted green leaders due to their association with minimalist design, which trendsetters associate with environmental consciousness. For example, a large number of survey respondents put Apple in the "green" category due to the company's simple, streamlined design approach - even though respondents weren't sure of Apple's specific environmental policies. (Other companies known for a minimal, clean aesthetic include Method, Google, American Apparel, The Container Store, IKEA, and Kiehls.)

Read more about leading green brands here.