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To help build a more recycling-oriented society, Sharp is taking the lead in recovering and recycling used electrical products. Under its Super Green Strategy, Sharp takes into account various environmental considerations, including recyclability, to actively develop environmentally friendly products and supports efforts to achieve efficient recycling. These efforts include promoting environmentally conscious product design according to the principle of individual producer responsibility (IPR). Sharp complies with the recycling laws of each country, as exemplified by the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Directive in the EU, which is based on the concept of producer responsibility. Through collaboration with industry associations, Sharp is actively participating in the planning and construction of recycling systems now being considered for adoption in China and other parts of Asia. In addition, Sharp will contribute to the construction of new recycling systems that meet the individual needs of regions and countries.
Efforts beyond the law in the US
Sharp Electronics Corporation (SEC), a Sharp sales subsidiary in the US, complies with US laws enacted at the state level regarding the collection and recycling of used electrical products.
In addition, on September 28, 2007, SEC established the Electronic Manufacturers Recycling Management Company (MRM) in cooperation with Panasonic Corporation of North America and Toshiba America Consumer Products to achieve more efficient recycling. MRM's initial activities were focused on operating a program in the states of Minnesota and Oregon for the recycling of used electrical products. However, since January 15, 2009, the MRM network has expanded to provide recycling opportunities at about 600 locations with at least one recycling center located in each state, making it one of the most comprehensive recycling networks in the nation. MRM will continue to expand its program. For more information. The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has named MRM, as winner of its National TV Recycling Challenge. The National TV Recycling Challenge, issued in 2009, was part of the EPA's Plug-In To eCycling program, a partnership the EPA established in 2002 with leading consumer electronics companies. For more information.
SEC collected and recycled total almost 3,000 tons of Waste Electronics products including 1,878tons collected by voluntarily program.
Table 1 - Example of Annual Collection and Recycling Amount in the United States (Tons)
| (FY) |
2006 |
2007 |
2008 |
2009 |
2010 |
| Maine: |
22.8 |
57.6 |
36.5 |
96.1 |
115.1 |
| Minnesota: |
─ |
118.5 |
589.9 |
709.6 |
368.1 |
| Oregon: |
─ |
─ |
22.1 |
257.4 |
300.7 |
Further, as another voluntary activity, SEC is also urging customers to recycle 100% of Sharp recyclable parts through its Copier Toner Recycling Program launched in February 2008. The program allows business and government customers to recycle toner cartridges and bottles from all Sharp multifunctional products (MFPs), including already discontinued models. This is in contrast to most copier manufacturers, which collect only cartridges or specified models. And this recycling program is free of charge for customers. Sharp is the only manufacturer in the US that covers all recycling costs for the toner cartridges and bottles of its entire MFP lineup. For more information.
Contact Information for Product Recycling in the US
Efforts in Canada
Sharp Electronics of Canada Ltd. (SECL), a Sharp sales subsidiary in Canada, is a founding member of Electronic Product Stewardship Canada (EPS Canada). EPS Canada is a not-for-profit organization founded by leading Canadian electronic and information technology companies whose mandate is assisting provincial governments by designing and implementing sustainable solutions for Canada's electronic waste issues.
SECL participates in the following provincial electronic waste recycling programs
In addition to complying with all laws enacted on the provincial level regarding the collection and recycling of used electrical products, as a voluntary effort, SECL has taken the initiative to promote a recycling program for used toner cartridges. Under this program, consumers simply follow a link on SECL's Web site to find and then print out a prepaid shipping label for use in returning empty toner cartridges. For more information.
Contact Information for Product Recycling in Canada
Efforts in Europe
In EU member states, the producers of electrical and electronics equipment are required, under the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Directive enacted in 2003, to collect and recycle used electrical products. By participating in recycling schemes in all EU countries, Sharp stays in compliance with all applicable EU laws, as well as corresponding laws in the non-EU countries Switzerland and Norway.
Sharp Electronics (Europe) GmbH (SEEG), a Sharp sales subsidiary in Germany, manages the recycling of appliances and consumer electronics in Germany through ProReturn, a recycling system jointly established with Loewe AG and Philips Consumer Electronics.
Table 2 - Example of Annual Collection and Recycling Amount in the Countries (Tons)
| Country |
2007 |
2008 |
2009 |
2010 |
| UK |
1,452 |
2,629 |
2,417 |
2,972 |
| Germany |
3,763 |
2,566 |
1,897 |
1,932 |
| Czech Rep. |
23 |
204 |
348 |
411 |
Note: The amount depends on the WEEE financing obligation in each calendar year.
As a voluntary activity in the EU, Sharp Manufacturing France S.A. (SMF), a Sharp production subsidiary in France, has a recycling program for used toner cartridges. See this for details.
Efforts in Japan
Please click on the links below to view information on Sharp’s recycling efforts in Japan.
Table 3 - Annual Amount Collected and Recycling Ratio
Home appliances
(TVs, refrigerators, air conditioners, washing machines) |
2005 |
2006 |
2007 |
2008 |
2009 |
2010 |
| Amount collected (tons) |
48,515 |
49,178 |
52,114 |
56,049 |
74,449 |
110,108 |
| Recycling ratio |
40.1% |
41.9% |
48.9% |
53.3% |
74.3% |
106.6% |
Note: The recycling ratio is calculated using the total No. of products recycled in a given year and the total No. of products sold 10 years* prior to that.
* Based on the average product life of an appliance
Contact Information for Product Recycling in Japan
Efforts in Other Regions
In China, Sharp is part of a working group studying the laws and regulations for recycling used electrical products. In other contries where recycling legislations are currently being considered, such as Thailand, India, and so on, Sharp is actively cooperating with industry associations in the construction of effective recycling systems.
Australia currently has no recycling regulations for TVs. In November 2004, however, a not-for-profit company, PSA (Product Stewardship Australia Ltd.), was established. PSA's role is to design and recommend to the government an end-of-life policy for the environmentally friendly disposal of TVs and to ultimately carry out management and implementation of this policy once legislation is created. Sharp Corporation of Australia Pty. Ltd. (SCA), Sharp's sales subsidiary in Australia, is a founding member of PSA and contributed seed funding for its establishment. SCA also has one of its senior executives on PSA's Board of Directors. Together with the Australian government PSA is working to devise a regulatory framework for end-of-life recycling of all TVs in Australia and ensure that all importers share the burden of recycling equally.
And SCA's participation in Mobile Muster, a voluntary take-back and recycling program for mobile phones and mobile phone batteries in Australia, is another example of Sharp's efforts to help build a sustainable, recycling-oriented society.
Contact Information for Product Recycling in Australia
As a voluntary activity, Sharp Corporation of Australia Pty. Ltd. (SCA) and Sharp Corporation of New Zealand Ltd. (SCNZ), Sharp sales subsidiaries in Oceania, have commenced implementation of recycling program for used toner cartridges from January 2010.
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