The use of electronics products has dramatically changed and improved our lives. But with the many benefits associated with enjoyment of electronics and new technologies comes a responsibility. In recognition of this responsibility, Panasonic Corporation of North America spearheaded the formation of a new electronics recycling organization, the Electronic Manufacturers Recycling Management Company, LLC (MRM). Joining Panasonic are two other leading manufacturers, Sharp Electronics Corporation and Toshiba America Consumer Products, LLC.

Panasonic’s leadership in establishing (in Minnesota) the first state-wide manufacturer run program has been recognized by 17 other leading electronics manufacturers who have joined as customers of the collective. Although MRM’s initial focus has been to collect products in Minnesota, plans are under development to expand MRM activities to other states with electronic product recycling mandates. For example, MRM has just submitted a Group Manufacturer Plan, representing 21 companies, to the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality. Also, MRM is now drafting collection plans for New York City and Texas.

Even before MRM and continuing today, under Panasonic’s Shared Responsibility Program, our company (working with other manufacturers) sponsored 1,558 events in 29 States since 2000 that helped to collect and recycle 33.3 million pounds of unwanted electronics. The states included California, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, North Carolina, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Utah, Virginia, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin and West Virginia as well as the District of Columbia.

Panasonic continues to support this program. For example, during the first half of 2008 calendar year alone, Panasonic participated in 81 events and helped keep approximately 920,400 pounds of discarded electronics from ending up in landfills. Please click here for a complete listing of events and totals by state through June 2008.

Beyond our support of collection events across the country, Panasonic has also identified several interactive online resource tools to help guide consumers to local electronics recycling opportunities. One useful tool, E-cycling Central allows consumers to enter their home state and view a listing of recyclers along with additional information on electronics recycling. A separate website coordinated through the Consumer Electronics Association allows visitors to type in their zip code to find nearby recyclers. This site, my green electronics, also provides maps and additional recycling information to consumers including answers to frequently asked questions.

At Panasonic we continue to advocate the sustainable and environmentally sound management of electronic products at their end of life. Therefore, we have withdrawn from an organization (EMCRR) that promoted e-waste collection and recycling systems based solely on advanced recycling fees. We firmly believe it is our societal obligation to develop an environmentally conscious plan to recycle our end-of-life products.