Editorial Contacts: 

PANASONIC EXPANDS NATIONWIDE TV AND CONSUMER

ELECTRONICS  RECYCLING PROGRAM TO 280 DROP-OFF SITES

Goal is Simple, Safe Recycling of Used Electronics

LAS VEGAS, NV (January 7, 2009) –  Panasonic Corporation of North America, a market leader in electronics innovation and technology, announced today that it has expanded its new nationwide program designed to provide consumers convenient and easy recycling of their Panasonic branded TVs and other consumer electronics[1] in all 50 states at 280 drop-off locations by the end of this month.  Included as a drop-off site is Panasonic HQ in Secaucus, NJ.

“The focus of Panasonic’s program will be on consumer convenience and environmentally sound recycling,” said Yoshi Yamada, Chairman and CEO, Panasonic Corporation of North America.  “Our national program gives life to our customers’ recycling expectations and embodies our company’s commitment to responsible product lifecycle management.”

Panasonic also reaffirms its commitment to work collaboratively with other manufacturers. Day-to-day management of the program will be contracted to Electronic Manufacturers Recycling Management Company, LLC (“MRM”), a joint venture established in 2007, by Panasonic Corporation of North America, Sharp Electronics Corporation and Toshiba America Consumer Products, LLC. The venture was created to address America’s e-waste recycling needs most efficiently by bringing the electronic product manufacturing community together into a unified voluntary effort.

“The Panasonic program will help to move end-of-life consumer electronics out of the common waste stream and into a separate and environmentally responsible recycling stream,” said Rich Vernam, who heads Panasonic’s Recycling Office. 

For a list of current states and sites visit www.MRMrecycling.com.   Panasonic will continue to work with MRM and its network of public and private recyclers, communities, governments, charities and other organizations committed to safe electronics recycling to expand collection opportunities.   Panasonic expects to provide at least 800 drop-off locations by 2011.  “We will leverage the efficiencies that come from MRM’s ability to bring together multiple manufacturers’ recycling programs into one common system.  As a result, Panasonic will enable consumers, as they choose new electronics products to enhance their lives, to recycle their used Panasonic products safely and easily”, said Mr. Vernam.

By continuing to work with environmental stakeholders, Panasonic expects to increase public awareness of the convenience, ease and reliability of its electronics recycling program in the U.S.  In fact, promoting employee and public awareness of environmental responsibility is one central element of Panasonic’s worldwide environmental initiatives.  Other key elements include the global company’s pledges to reduce annual CO₂ emissions by 300,000 tons on a global basis over the three-year period between fiscal 2008 and 2010 despite growth in production and to introduce products which are easier to recycle and increasingly more energy efficient.  These actions are part of Panasonic’s ongoing, global ‘eco ideas’ campaign to help achieve an environmentally sustainable future.  

[1] Panasonic consumer electronics equipment consists of, but is not limited to, portable stereos, DVD players, home theater systems, laptop computers, stereo equipment, telephones, TVs and VCRs. 

About Panasonic

Based in Secaucus, NJ, Panasonic Corporation of North America markets a broad line of digital and other electronics products for consumer, business and industrial use. The company is the principal North American subsidiary of Panasonic Corporation (NYSE: PC) of Osaka, Japan, and the hub of Panasonic’s U.S. branding, marketing, sales, service and R&D operations. Information about Panasonic and its products is available at www.panasonic.com.  Detailed information about Panasonic’s environmental stewardship may be found in its Panasonic Report for Sustainability 2008 www.panasonic.net/csr/reports and Environmental Data Book 2008 www.panasonic.net/eco/rpt/.  Additional company information for journalists is available at www.panasonic.com/pressroom.

# # #