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. Panasonic Corporation of North America recognizes its responsibility to ensure the proper, environmentally sound management of TVs and other consumer electronics at the end of their useful life.

To help ensure their proper disposal, Panasonic has created a national program to provide consumers with convenient recycling for their TVs and consumer electronics products (click here for additional information). Panasonic’s program emphasizes the importance of diverting end-of-life consumer electronics out of the common waste stream and into a separate and environmentally responsible recycling stream.

Panasonic has also created a new Recycling Office to help manage our recycling initiative. In addition, Panasonic will work through the Electronic Manufacturers Recycling Management Company, LLC, (known as MRM) to facilitate product recycling. MRM was created in September of 2007 by Panasonic Corporation of North America, Sharp Electronics Corporation, and Toshiba America Consumer Products, LLC, to foster the efficient management of recycling programs. MRM offers its service to all consumer electronics manufacturers and retailers, and already works with over 20 of them.

“Building on our commitment to practical, responsible recycling, we are pleased to start a Panasonic nationwide program utilizing MRM’s unique capabilities,” said Yoshi Yamada, Chairman and CEO of Panasonic Corporation of North America. “Our long-term goal is a sustainable recycling system for electronic products that is a consumer-friendly and environmentally-sound.”

As consumers continue to choose new electronics products to enhance their lives, the Panasonic program will help them recycle their used products safely and easily.

Panasonic will also continue to work with states and localities to help craft flexible and environmentally responsible TV and consumer electronics recycling systems that allow for manufacturer managed recycling programs, like our Panasonic program, that keep consumer electronics products out of landfills and avoid export of potentially hazardous materials after the products are disassembled and processed. Otherwise, manufacturers will continue to be forced to comply with a patchwork of differing state laws that result in inefficiency and greater expense to both consumers and manufacturers.

Further, Panasonic will continue to insist upon transparency and oversight of any recycling companies used by MRM in order to allay any potential concerns about their practices including use of prison labor and export of hazardous materials.