"We believe that forming an independent company to manage collective electronic recycling programs is the best way to achieve the economies of scale and efficiencies necessary to create a sustainable recycling system for used electronics products"
David Thomson, MRM President
Las Vegas, US: Three leading electronics brands have established a new electronic product recycling management company, Electronic Manufacturers Recycling Management Company, LLC (MRM), to manage collection and recycling programs in the United States.
The new company will initially focus on providing cost effective services to manufacturers who are obliged to meet the new requirements in Minnesota for the recycling of used electronic products.
MRM has been formed as a joint-venture between Panasonic Corporation of North America, Sharp Electronics Corporation and Toshiba America Consumer Products.
The new company will provide a recycling service to electronics manufacturers and others, including state and local governments. MRM is also planning for recycling programs in several states from late 2008 or 2009, including Connecticut, North Carolina, Oregon, Texas and Washington.
Electronic goods (with batteries)
The joint venture company has been set up to serve the needs of electronics manufacturers who will be responsible for take-back of products under new electronic waste recycling laws, as well as the needs of consumers for convenient access to electronic recycling opportunities. An important goal for the company is to also provide consumers with convenient recycling.
MRM says that cost- effective and environmentally sound recycling are important for increasing the long-term sustainability of the electronics industry and this is reflected in the venture partners' continued commitment to environmental responsibility.
MRM is therefore also in a good position to offer recycling services in other states or to develop a viable, long-term national solution as the need arises, according to the company.
David Thomson, MRM President said:
"We believe that forming an independent company to manage collective electronic recycling programs is the best way to achieve the economies of scale and efficiencies necessary to create a sustainable recycling system for used electronics products.
"MRM has already entered into collection and recycling agreements with Hitachi Electronics, JVC, Mitsubishi, Philips, Pioneer, Sanyo and Olevia brand maker Syntax-Brillian, and looks forward to working with other manufacturers going forward."
Minnesota Pollution Control Agency Commissioner Brad Moore praised the company's work saying:
"In the first five months since Minnesota's new electronic recycling law took effect, MRM collected approximately 750 tons of used products - a significant amount. We are pleased with MRM's effort in being the first manufacturer organization to offer convenient recycling service to citizens in all parts of our state, and hope it works to decrease illegal dumping of waste electronic products."
Further information
See exhibition web site: http://www.cesweb.org/ .
This article is adapted from a press release from PRNewswire with an original source of Toshiba America Consumer Products, L.L.C.