LG Electronics has cut its carbon dioxide emissions by 61,348 metric tons, while saving close to $1 million in operating expenses since December 2012, according to a recent Environmental Protection Agency assessment.
At the end of 2012, the electronics company signed a memorandum of understanding with the EPA, promising to implement several sustainability initiatives to help reduce its carbon footprint.
Within the first six months of the partnership, LG has cut greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, solid waste production and energy use across its US operations, according to the EPA’s first assessment report on the company’s efforts.
Some of LG’s sustainability initiatives include:
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· Energy efficiency and GHG reductions in manufacturing and the supply chain.
· Consumer education aimed at reducing the environmental footprint of product use.
· Producer responsibility through consumer take-back/recycling programs.
· Reduction in the use of hazardous substances.
· Deployment and promotion of renewable energy technologies.
· Development of innovative life cycle product designs.
The assessment says LG has avoided more than 10 million pounds of used electronic equipment from being sent to the landfill in the first four months of 2013 through the LG Electronics Recycling Program. The company exclusively uses e-Stewards and R2 certified e-waste recyclers for its US national take-back program.
Earlier this month, LG reported that sales for its products that attained EPA’s “Energy Star Most Efficient” designation jumped 75 percent in 2012, saving consumers more than $150 million in utility costs and reducing greenhouse gas emissions by about 930 million pounds over the life of the products.
In April, LG became one of the first to offer television models rated on the Electronic Product Environmental Tool (EPEAT) global registry for greener electronics, which recently expanded to include televisions. This was the first time a comprehensive standard has been available for consumers, companies and governments to identify eco-friendly televisions, including HDTVs and Smart TVs.
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Founder & Principal Consultant, Hower Impact
Mike Hower is the founder of Hower Impact — a boutique consultancy delivering best-in-class strategic communication advisory and support for corporate sustainability, ESG and climate tech.
Published Jul 29, 2013 3am EDT / 12am PDT / 8am BST / 9am CEST