To help build a more recycling-oriented society, Sharp is taking the lead in the recovery and recycling of used electrical products. 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.

Efforts in North America

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. As a result, SEC collected 22.8 tons of used electrical products in 2006 and 57.6 tons in 2007 in the State of Maine, and 118.5 tons in 2007 in the State of Minnesota.

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. The new company's initial activities have been focused on operating a program in the State of Minnesota for the recycling of used electrical products. The company is also studying ways to offer efficient recovery and recycling services in all areas of the US.

SEC has also been active in the Plug-In To eCycling program, a partnership established in 2002 between the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and manufacturers, retailers, and service providers, to promote consumer electronics recycling in various regions of the US. SEC has been honored by the EPA for six consecutive years of participation. In 2007, SEC supported 100 recycling events and was able to recover and recycle 49.9 tons of used electrical products.

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.

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.

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 North America

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 non-EU countries Switzerland and Norway.

By 2007, some 5,500 tons of used electrical products had been collected under the Sharp's responsibility. Of that amount, Sharp Electronics (Europe) GmbH (SEEG), a Sharp sales subsidiary in Germany, managed the recycling of 3,700 tons of appliances and consumer electronics in Germany through ProReturn, a recycling system jointly established with Loewe AG and Philips Consumer Electronics.

Contact Information for Product Recycling in Europe

Efforts in Japan

Please click on the links below to view information on Sharp’s recycling efforts in Japan.

http://sharp-world.com/corporate/eco/csr_report/2007pdf/sharp40e.pdf
http://sharp-world.com/corporate/eco/data/used.html