Recycling Ethic    

Recycling Ethic

The many advances in electronic product technology have dramatically changed and improved our lives.  But with the many benefits associated with enjoyment of electronics and new technologies comes a responsibility.  In recognition of this responsibility, Panasonic Corporation of North America, Sharp Electronics Corporation and Toshiba America Consumer Products, LLC spearheaded the formation of a new electronics recycling organization, the Electronic Manufacturers Recycling Management Company, LLC (MRM) to implement ethical and sustainable recycling efforts.

MRM's Pledge

MRM pledges to strive to have electronic products recycled responsibly:

  • Our goal is 100% recycling and zero landfill.

  • We will work with recyclers who have an excellent environmental compliance record and who have established an adequate environmental management system.

  • Our priority will be to work with recyclers who can clean CRT glass1 in the United States. 

  • We will not allow the export of e-waste for dismantling and recycling in non-OECD countries2

  • We will prohibit the use of prison labor.

  • We will require our recyclers to carry adequate liability insurance, including pollution liability insurance.

  • We will require complete traceability for the downstream commodity outlets and handling.

  • We will require our recyclers to follow EPA R2 Guidelines and to follow MRM guidelines prohibiting the export of e-waste for dismantling and recycling in non-OECD countries and prohibiting the use of prison labor.

    • We will require recyclers working with MRM to demonstrate their compliance with MRM requirements. Recyclers must work with MRM as necessary to complete an independent third party audit using an auditor selected by MRM.

    • If the recycler has certification from another organization that has established standards that meet the MRM requirements, such as the certification from the E-Stewards™ program, we will accept that certification. Recyclers must still work with MRM as required to conduct periodic independent audits as directed by MRM.

1.  Cleaning CRT glass means to physically remove the phosphors and other dielectric coatings from the glass itself in order to prepare a furnace-ready glass cullet commodity. 

2.  CRT glass will be processed and returned to bona fide CRT glass manufacturers as long as viable CRT markets continue to exist.  These manufacturers may be located in non-OECD countries.