Product Recycling

The Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Directive took effect in 2005, and requires producers to take back and recycle waste electrical and electronic items. Additionally, it requires that producers mark items to show consumers that they should not be discarded with general domestic waste, and to provide advice to consumers on suitable disposal options. Panasonic has proactively developed solutions to all these requirements.

• * Return ratio :WEEE collection volume/EEE put on the market

The return ratio has been calculated for collected amounts for which Panasonic is financially responsible for based on its market share. For some countries with a Visible Fee so far there are only estimated figures available which will be updated as soon as there will be more precise data available.

In order to get a picture of the return share of Panasonic's own branded products, sample tests for TVs are carried out in some countries. So far, these tests show a set-related resulting return ratio between 1.5% and 5.8%: UK (5.8%), Germany (1.9%), Austria (2.0%), Spain (3.0%), Italy (1.7%), France (1.5%) and Czech Republic (4.0%). These tests are being continued in a few more countries, and the results will be published accordingly.

Since 2000 Panasonic has been amassing much recycling management know-how and technological expertise in Japan including our recycling facility, The Panasonic Eco Technology Center (PETEC) . We knew this expertise would be a valuable addition to the European recycling industry. Accordingly, we established ENE EcologyNet Europe GmbH (ENE) in April 2005 with the view that our expertise accumulated in Japan would be useful. As a subsidiary of Panasonic, the same quality and high ecological standards are applied to ENE's operations. Initially focusing on the recycling of WEEE in Germany, ENE meets all the legal, transport and recycling obligations for Panasonic and the partner producers who choose to use ENE to meet their WEEE obligations.

We have established our own-brand computer takeback system across Europe, which for Panasonic is primarily a business-to-business market. This takeback system involves our European recycling subsidiary, EcologyNet Europe, thereby ensuring the quality of the whole recycling process, and eliminating the risk of any illegal waste dumping in under-developed countries, which is a current concern to the electronics industry.Based on our Notebook recycling schemes operating in North America, Europe and Japan, this means that Panasonic offers recycling solutions covering 95% of the entire Group's global sales volume of computers.

TOUGHBOOK (PC) TAKEBACK PROGRAM

Panasonic has a very diverse product range in Europe. To manage our WEEE compliance across the EU, it has been our policy to register directly with appropriate recycling schemes in countries where we have legal company presence. Elsewhere, we work with our distributors to ensure that responsibilities are managed locally. We apply the same approach to battery recycling; we are also members of numerous systems in various European countries. By clicking on each of the schemes listed below, you will learn more about their activities. Many also give guidance on how to recycle your electronic products in each country.

note: some of the web-sites may only be available in local language. Details of Panasonic affiliated WEEE recycling schemes by country.

Austria	EVA	Latvia	LZE (Latvia Green electronics)
Belgium	Recupel	Lithuania	INFOBALT
Czech	Elektrowin Asekol	Luxembourg	ECOTREL
Denmark	Elretur EPA	Netherlands	NVMP ICT Milieu
Estonia	EES Ringlus	Norway	Elretur
Finland	Serty Oy	Poland	ElektroEko
France	Eco-Systemes	Portugal	Amb3E
Germany	EcologyNet Europe [ENE]	Slovakia	SEWA
Greece	Recycling of Appliances SA	Spain	Tragamovil ECOFIMATICA Ecotic
Hungary	Electro-Coord Kht [CECED]	Sweden	El Kretsen
Ireland	WEEE Ireland	Switzerland	Swico
Italy	Remedi@	UK	REPIC

Panasonic Communications Company (U.K.) Ltd. (PCCUK) started a collection program for used toner cartridges in December 2004. Under this program, consumers in 15 European countries can return used fax machine toner cartridges for recycling. PCCUK encloses return labels and instructions in the cartridge box, and consumers use the label to return the used cartridge via the post office. A collection service is also available in certain areas.

In April 2005, PCCUK enhanced the program by opening a recycling facility for used toner cartridges. This facility is expected to recycle 30,000 cartridges annually.

As North America continues to develop its recycling infrastructure, Panasonic remains amongst the Industry leaders by expanding our commitment to develop electronics recycling programs across the United States and Canada.

• * This result is the cumulative total of Panasonic's voluntary and mandatory collections as of June, 2009.

Panasonic North America has led the establishment of a dedicated recycling management company in a joint venture with Sharp Electronics Corporation and Toshiba America Consumer Products LLC. Called Electronic Manufacturers Recycling Management Company, LLC, (MRM), the company's goal is to provide consumers with convenient and responsible recycling opportunities.

MRM is now working with 25 manufacturers to operate comprehensive programs in several states with manufacturer collection mandates including Maine, Minnesota, Oklahoma, Oregon, Texas, Virginia and West Varginia. MRM is also implementing a group manufacturer plan in Rhode Island. Panasonic believes that collaborative manufacturer plans such as MRM is now operating are the best way to achieve the economies of scale needed to realize consumer convenience and environmentally sustainable recycling. Additional information is available at MRM.

Furthermore, we have proactively worked on recycling solutions in all the states and provinces across North America listed below. By clicking on each recycling organization's link, you can gain access to information on how to dispose of unwanted electronics.

Panasonic Is Now Implementing A National Recycling Program for Panasonic Audio and Video Consumer Products in the United States

Continuing to demonstrate the Panasonic Group’s commitment to responsible end-of-life solutions, Panasonic has launched a nationwide program in November 2008 to collect and recycle audio and video consumer products across the United States.

Panasonic's goal for this program is consumer convenience and responsible recycling. Starting with 280 collection sites nationwide – including at least one in every state from the outset - Panasonic expanded its collection network to 310 sites as of April 2009, and plans to increase to 400 sites by the end of FY 2009, and then to 600 sites in 2010 and finally 800 sites in 2011, with a continuing expansion thereafter. The Panasonic National Program is operated by MRM.

Including drop-off sites in those states with collection mandates (except California where electronic product recycling is done under a state-funded program), Panasonic now supports more than 775 drop-off locations.

Click here to view the most recent press release

We set a precedent by playing a major role in the establishment of the ‘Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corporation (RBRC)’ in the United States in 1994, and exercising leadership therein. This organization collects and recycles Ni-Cd (nickel cadmium), Ni-MH (nickel metal hydride), lithium ion, lead rechargeable and other batteries used in electrical and electronic appliances from over 30,000 retailers across the United States and Canada. In 2008, RBRC collected and recycled 3,136 metric tons of rechargeable batteries across the US and Canada, a 9% increase over 2007.

Panasonic North America: Battery Recycling

Panasonic initiated its own dedicated computer take-back system in the US in 2006. It has been operating ever since, and has cumulatively collected almost 27,000 units through the end of 2008. Where units have a refurbishment value, we offer a buy-back program. Where units are no longer suitable for refurbishment, we offer free-recycling of any Panasonic laptop, to ensure their safe, environmentally responsible end-of-life management. Based on our Notebook recycling schemes operating in North America, Europe and Japan, this means that Panasonic offer recycling solutions covering 95% of the entire Group's global sales volume of computers.

PlanITROI

Panasonic was a founding member of the US Environmental Protection Agency's Plug-In To Recycling’ Program, which sought to bring manufacturers, retailers, municipal governments and other collectors into a shared effort to collect and recycle electronic products.

Under the ‘Plug-In Program’ Panasonic has sponsored over 1665 ongoing collection programs and independent events since in 30 states since 2000.These programs and events resulted in the collection and recycling of approximately 35 MM pounds of used electronic equipment.

Panasonic North America (PNA): eCycling

Panasonic North America (PNA): Toner Cartridge Recycling

Panasonic Corporation of China started voluntary take-back program for used multifunction devices and related parts (accessories, cartridges, toners, etc.) through cooperation with a recycling company “Fortune Recycling (China) Ltd.” in May 2008. Related take-back information on the program is further clarified in the instruction manual. Disposers can make a call to the designated call center and send our used products to designated collection points. We aim to treat used products properly to prevent environmental pollution as well as to promote reuse of parts and recycling of materials.We also treat in compliance with the regulations for parts and materials adequately which are neither reusable nor recyclable. Panasonic Corporation of China is providing disposers of our used products with collection and recycling service free of charge.

In the Republic of Korea, we take on the expenses of recycling PC, micro audio, and battery in accordance with the Manufacturer Responsibility Reapplication System. Panasonic‘s recycling data for 2008 is provided.

Volunteer activities in Australia which we have helped to initiate and fund, include: Mobile Muster, the AMTA (Australian Mobile Telecommunications Association), a used mobile phone collection and recycling program, and Cartridges 4 Planet Ark, a used printer cartridge collection and recycling program, run by Planet Ark.