Environmental Activities - Products 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.

Total Panasonic WEEE collection volume(29 countries, 2007)	22,520 tons
Germany (Return ratio)	59%
UK (Return ratio)	34%
France (Return ratio)	20%

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

EcologyNet Europe ENE

Since 2000 Panasonic has been amassing much recycling management know-how and technological expertise in Japan including our recycling facility, The Matsushita Eco Technology Center (METEC) . We knew this expertise would be a valuable addition to the European recycling industry. Accordingly, we established 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.

Note book PC Recycling

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 offer recycling solutions covering 95% of the entire Group's global sales volume of computers.

[ Related info ]
Notebook Recycling

A Country by Country Approach

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.

[ Related info ]
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	Tragmovil ECOFIMATICA
Hungary	Electro-Coord Kht [CECED]	Sweden	El Kretsen
Ireland	WEEE Ireland	Switzerland	Swico
Italy	Remedi@	UK	REPIC

Mobile phone Partnership Initiative (MPPI)

Panasonic has been one of the leading manufacturers in this initiative to develop and implement guidelines on End-Of-Life waste disposal and recycling of mobile phones. Since 2002, we have been developing good-practice guidelines for stakeholders to ensure responsible waste management, particularly in developing countries (and not just the countries where we have sales).

In conjunction with operators and other partners, it is hoped to establish dedicated waste management projects focused on developing countries, so as to ensure that Producer Responsibility systems are in place in Developing countries.

These waste management projects are planed for countries on the African sub-continent and other developing nations.

Mobile phone recycling systems

Panasonic has been a leader in establishing local waste recovery systems for end-of-life mobile phones since the mid 1990's, well ahead of any legislation. We first established waste management partnership schemes in the UK & Sweden in 1997. Since then, we have established schemes in countries as diverse as Spain, Switzerland and Australia.

As operators' own refurbishment schemes have become established, some of the schemes we set up have diminished. Currently key operators are engaged in recovery schemes which are expanding across Europe. In this instance, Panasonic still maintains appropriate WEEE management systems.

Toner Cartridge Recycling

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.

Volumes Recycled

Panasonic’s EcologyNet Europe recycling system is still developing. Likewise many of the WEEE compliance schemes to which we belong in various European Member States are new, and do not attribute volumes recycled to individual members. Panasonic will provide volume figures as soon as accurate data is available.

As North America continues to implement recycling initiatives, Panasonic remains amongst the Industry leaders in terms of our ardent involvement in electronics recycling programs across the United States and Canada.

Total Panasonic collection volume (USA, 2007)	601 tons
TVs	347 tons
Monitors and others	254 tons

  (Maine and Minnesota state)

Panasonic Establish A Dedicated Recycling Management Company In USA

Demonstrating the Panasonic Group's commitment to responsible end-of-life solutions for their products, Panasonic North America have lead the establishment of a dedicated recycling management company in a joint venture with Sharp Electronics Corporation and Toshiba America Consumer Products LLC. Electronics Manufacturers' Recycling Management Company's (MRM)'s goal is to provide consumers with convenient recycling opportunities, and it's focus for initial activities will be Minnesota, where regulations on the recycling of electronic goods have recently been implemented. In addition to planning for recycling programs in several states and jurisdictions from late 2008 or 2009, including Connecticut, New York City, North Carolina, Oregon, Texas and Washington, MRM is also positioned to offer recycling services as needed in other states or on a national scale. For more information on this, please see the Related Information link below.

[ Related info ]
MRM Press Release

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

Country	State/Provence	Recycling Organization Information	Products Covered
United States of America	California	CA eRecycle and Panasonic Information	TV, PC
	Maine	Maine E-Waste Program	TV, PC
	Maryland	eCycling in MD	PC
	Washington State	1-800-RECYCLE Assistance Page	TV, PC
	Minnesota	MRM	TV, PC
Canada	Alberta	Alberta Recycling Management Authority (ARMA)	TV, PC, monitors, printers and fax machines
	Saskatchewan	Saskatchewan Waste Electronic Equipment Program(SWEEP)	TV, PC, monitors, printers and fax
	British Columbia	Electronics Stewardship Association of British Columbia (ESABC)	TV, PC, monitors, printers and fax
	Nova Scotia	Atlantic Canada Electronics Stewardship (ACES)	TV, PC, monitors, printers and fax
	Ontario	Ontario Electronic Stewardship (OES)	TV, PC, monitors, printers and fax (in development)

Battery Recycling

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 2007, RBRC collected and recycled 2.884 tons of rechargeable batteries across the US and Canada.

[ Related info ]
Panasonic North America’s battery recycling

Note book PC 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 25,000 units through the end of 2007. Where units have a refurbishment value, we offer a buy-back programme. Furthermore, even 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.

[ Related info ]
PlanITROI

eCycle Project

Panasonic has also voluntarily participated in the US Environmental Protection Agency's 'eCycle Project' since its inauguration in 2001, which developed into the 'Plug-In To recycling' program in 2003. This is a program aiming for the distribution of responsibilities in the optimum treatment of used electrical/electronic appliances between consumers, municipalities, retailers, and manufacturers, and the effective use of resources therein).

Awards for Waste Management

Through our Shared Responsibility Program, Panasonic has co-sponsored 1,415 recycling events in 29 States since 2000.These activities saw Panasonic awarded with the EPA's Waste Wise Partner of the Year Award for two consecutive years in 2002 and 2003, and awarded the overall Grand Prize in 2004.

[ Related info ]
Panasonic Corporation of North America (PNA)- eCycling

Toner Cartridge

[ Related info ]
Toner Cartridge Recycling - Panasonic Corporation of North America (PNA)

Waste Recycled (tonnes, cumulative results to the end of summer 2007)
Batteries(*1)	15,557.45
General Electronics(*2)	164,955.82

Korea

In the Republic of Korea, we take on the expenses of recycling TVs, PCs, audio devices, fluorescent lamps, printers, copiers, fax machines, and batteries, in accordance with the Manufacturer Responsibility Reapplication System. Panasonic’s recycling data for 2006 is provided.

Australia

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

We recognize that greater resource productivity is vital if Society is to curb its excessive resource depletion. Recycling allows us to turn wastes into resources again. Panasonic is committed to actively fulfilling its responsibility in this recycling system.

Efficient transportation of used products

Recycling waste electronics reduces resource depletion, but there is still an impact from recycling; this is attributable in part to the transportation required and to the reprocessing activity itself. Panasonic are addressing both. We are reducing the global warming impact of transportation by making the waste transportation step more efficient. In Japan, the gate-way to our recycling system is the retailers who collect consumers’ used products. By mapping our retailers’ geographic locations across Japan, we have carefully selected the optimal number and location of centralized collection points. We currently have a network of 190 designated collection points and 35 recycling facilities. In 2000, Ecology Net Co., Ltd was established to oversee the running of this network. Ecology Net also performs contract work for other manufacturers who use our recycling facilities, and maintains an adaptable system which adjusts transport logistics to the volume of waste requiring collection.

Home appliance recycling facility "METEC"

The Matsushita Eco Technology Center (METEC), our own recycling facility, is amassing a wealth of recycling know-how and ideas from its daily processing of used products. METEC also provides feedback to our product designers, allowing us to develop new products that are easier to dismantle and sort when they are recycled. This is an important step for Panasonic to help build a recycling society. It also lowers the cost of recycling, which is an important factor when it comes to maintaining and expanding the recycling system.

PC Recycling

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
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.

For designing products of easy recycling

Designing products that can be easily recycled is essential to achieving a high recycling rate,*6 quickly and at a low cost. Toward this end, it is important to identify how products should be improved. Panasonic product designers are currently working on that issue. Individual products are made up of a variety of components. The designers themselves are performing dismantling tests on existing products and prototypes to investigate how long it takes to dismantle each component, as well as the quality and weight of the components. Panasonic has developed software that easily calculates the recycling rate and cost based on these data, and is utilizing this information to improve the recycling rate, starting from the design phase.
The test dismantling of products has already been completed on about 40 models, and we are accumulating data on recycling technology and know-how.

Mobile recycle network

In Japan, Panasonic engages in independent mobile phone collection and recycling initiatives through the Mobile Recycle Network, a group made up of carriers and mobile phone manufacturers.

• Specified Home Appliances
• Personal Computers