Environmental Activities - Products Recycling

Recycling Information for Consumers and Reprocessors

Panasonic believes that in order for Recycling to be a smooth and efficient process, everyone in the ‘recycling chain’ has to work together. Everyone from consumers to recyclers have to play their part if we are to ensure that all waste electronics are managed correctly at end-of-life.

Consumer information

The gateway to successful recycling is educated consumers at the start of the recycling chain. All of us as consumers, need to be aware of how to dispose of our unwanted waste, and of the recycling options available to us in each region.

Panasonic products are supplied with important information*1 for consumers on the product itself and/or in the operating instructions advising them not to discard electrical waste with general household waste, and informing them of how to get up-to-date information on the best disposal route for their product when it’s no longer required.

*1): This information is mandatory on all products in Europe, but the associated advisory markings are regularly included on products in the US, Japan and our other markets

- Activities

Crossed-out wheelie bin’ mark

In many markets, Panasonic place the ‘crossed-out wheelie bin’ mark shown here on every one of our consumer products, to remind customers that electrical waste merits special treatment at end-of-life, and they should never dispose of such waste with general household rubbish.

Awareness-raising marks

Where we support particular schemes that merit an awareness-raising mark for specific items, we include these logos. For example, the RBRC scheme for products containing rechargeable batteries in the US and Canada.

PC Recycling mark

Panasonic has been promoting a recycling initiative for business PCs in Japan for many years. In October 2003, Panasonic voluntarily expanded this marking initiative to all our consumer PCs as well, so as to further encourage proper recycling.

[ Related info ]

PCs recycling actual in FY2006

Recycling Information

At the end of the chain, reprocessors need to understand the basic makeup of the waste electronics to be recycled, and if there are any substances of concern in the waste that might affect the treatment process.

In Europe, Panasonic is establishing a database to help recyclers understand our products, and to identify key materials within them. You can view the development of this database by clicking on the WEEE Recycling link in the ‘Related Information’ section below.

[ Related info ]

WEEE Recycling

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General Awareness Activities

Alongside environmental markings on our products, and advice in our operating instructions, Panasonic has always supported raising consumers’ awareness of the Environment through television and media campaigns. Below are some examples.

[ Examples ]

Example: USA Campaign

This media campaign used in the US market several years ago was aimed promoting awareness of all our products’ high energy efficiency performance. Panasonic has been the Industry leader in terms of the US EPA’s Energy Star programme for many years.

Example: Japan Campaign

This TV advertisement in Japan seeks to show how our METEC facility is promoting the design of environment-conscious products for the next generation.
[The ad received an award during the 45th JAA Advertisement Beneficial to Consumers Contest ]

[ Related info ]
note: this material is only available in local language, but we believe the message speaks for itself.
METEC's CM

Example: Japan Campaign

Zoomed image

This shows a typical Panasonic newspaper campaign in Japan. The purpose of this campaign is to promote awareness of Panasonic's recycling performance. The advert covers our recycling of air conditioners, washing machines, refrigerators and televisions and reports the recycling volumes we achieved in Japan after five years recycling activity.

Example: Japan Campaign

Zoomed image

This newspaper campaign seeks to promote understanding of Panasonic's 3R Design activities (Reuse, Reduce & recycle) and their application to consumer electronics. The campaign demonstrates the re-usability of one of our washing machines.

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