IRVINE, Calif. (March 6, 2007) — Demonstrating its continuing commitment to preserving the environment for future generations, Toshiba’s Digital Products Division, a division of Toshiba America Information Systems, Inc., today announced that it has enhanced its recycling initiatives with a free computer take-back program. The company also announced today it has joined the Green Electronics Council’s Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool (EPEAT) by registering select notebook models with EPEAT, extending Toshiba’s commitment to the environment.
“Toshiba strongly believes in corporate social responsibility,” said Mark Simons, vice president and general manager, Digital Products Division, Toshiba America Information Systems, Inc. “There is a universal responsibility that applies to individuals, governments and corporations to deal with the environmental consequences of products that are created, sold and used. In this spirit, our notebook computer business is taking certain actions to help protect the environment.”
To keep computers out of dumpsters and landfills, Toshiba offers to recycle its notebook computers for free with no obligation by the consumer to purchase a new Toshiba computer. Non-Toshiba notebook computers will be recycled for a small shipping fee.
In addition, Toshiba offers users the option of trading in their used, functioning computers for cash. Toshiba is providing users with a product value estimator at http://toshiba.eztradein.com/toshiba/.
Toshiba’s recycling and computer take-back initiatives are large and responsible strides to protect the environment. Proper recycling techniques ensure that minimal damage will be done to the environment as a result of improper disposal.
The Green Electronics Council estimates that over the next five years EPEAT-registered computers will positively contribute to the reduction of more than 13 million pounds of hazardous waste, more than 3 million pounds of non-hazardous waste, and save more than 600,000 Megawatts of energy – enough energy to power 60,000 homes for a year.
EPEAT is a procurement tool that enables purchasers to evaluate and select computers and monitors based upon their environmental attributes. As an EPEAT member, Toshiba submitted the Tecra® A8 and the Tecra M5, two of the company’s best-selling computers, for analysis and registration. In particular, the Tecra A8 embodies industry-leading quality and demonstrates that environmental considerations and product performance can be simultaneously achieved.
To be registered with EPEAT, Toshiba’s notebooks are required to meet the IEEE 1680-2006 standard, the first U.S. voluntary environmental guidelines for institutional purchasing decisions involving notebook and desktop computers and monitors.
“The launch of Toshiba notebooks meeting the EPEAT standards is part of Toshiba’s overall commitment to the environment,” said Craig Hershberg, director, environmental affairs, Toshiba America, Inc. “Toshiba supports EPEAT and other environmental initiatives focused on producing eco-friendly products.”
Regarding the European Union environmental directives, Toshiba unveiled its first Restriction on Hazardous Waste (RoHS)-compatible1 notebook, the Tecra S3, for the business channel in October 2005, a full 10 months prior to the RoHS standard taking effect. Toshiba also introduced the first RoHS-compatible notebook at retail with the Satellite® A55-S1064 at Wal-Mart in December 2005.
For more information on Toshiba’s recycling and take-back programs, please visit www.toshibadirect.com.
About Toshiba America Information Systems, Inc. (TAIS)
Headquartered in Irvine, Calif., TAIS is comprised of four business units: Digital Products Division, Imaging Systems Division, Storage Device Division, and Telecommunication Systems Division. Together, these divisions provide mobile products and solutions, including industry leading portable computers; projectors; imaging products for the security, medical and manufacturing markets; storage products for automotive, computer and consumer electronics applications; and telephony equipment and associated applications.
TAIS provides sales, marketing and services for its wide range of information products in the United States and Latin America. TAIS is an independent operating company owned by Toshiba America, Inc., a subsidiary of Toshiba Corporation, which is a global leader in high technology and integrated manufacturing of electrical and electronic components, products and systems, as well as major infrastructure systems. Toshiba has more than 172,000 employees worldwide and annual sales of over US $54 billion (FY2005). For more information on Toshiba’s leading innovations, visit the company’s Web site at www.toshiba.com.
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