Sharp To Receive Energy Star Award

By Greg Tarr -- TWICE, 3/14/2011

Mahwah, N.J. - Sharp said Monday that that it has been selected to receive a 2011 Excellence in Energy Efficient Product Design Award from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Energy Star  program.

The award recognizes Sharp for its "ongoing commitment to promoting energy efficiency amongst the consumer electronics and business products' trade and consumers, as well as the company's efforts to lead by example in the execution of its business operations."

Each year, the U.S. EPA and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) honor organizations that have made outstanding contributions to protecting the environment through supporting and promoting energy efficiency.

The award will be presented to Sharp at a ceremony in Washington, D.C. on April 12, 2011, the company said.

 "The ideals upheld by the Energy Star program are consistent with those of our corporate vision to contribute to the world through environmentally-friendly and health-conscious business, focusing on energy-saving and energy-creating products," said Bob Scaglione, Sharp chief marketing officer. "Our efforts in this area are diverse and go far beyond the products we manufacture. This is demonstrated through our recent enhancements to our manufacturing facilities to reduce energy use, our comprehensive renewable energy program for elementary school students, our free nationwide Sharp TV and printer cartridge recycling program for consumers and many other initiatives."

In 2010, Sharp offered Energy Star qualified products in nine categories: room air conditioners, air purifiers, fax machines, audio products, Blu-ray Disc players, copiers, printers and multifunction devices.

Sharp's Aquos Quattron televisions, with Quad Pixel Technology, are said to produce energy efficiency as high as 67 percent above Energy Star standards and as much as 65 percent above the current LCD CFL models, Sharp said.

 In 2010, 51 of Sharp's LCD TV models were Energy Star qualified, as well as all of its Blu-ray Disc players.

For the first time, Sharp introduced Energy Star qualified professional monitors, including its PN-E series, PN-V601 video wall monitor and PN-L601B touchscreen monitor.

In addition, the document systems the company introduced in 2010 are significantly more efficient in typical operating conditions than earlier models.

The company provides Energy Star product labeling and in-box materials, and requires all promotional and point-of-purchase materials include energy saving information to help consumers understand the cost-saving and environmental benefits that are made possible by efficient products.

In addition, the SharpUSA.com website provides downloadable materials including brochures, operation manuals, and other materials to encourage retailers and consumers to think in terms of energy efficiency, the company said.

"Thanks to the creative promotion efforts of partners like Sharp, consumers can more easily find energy-efficient Energy Star products in the marketplace," said Elizabeth Craig, EPA office of atmospheric programs acting director. "Sharp leads the way by helping Americans learn how they can protect our environment through energy efficiency. We look forward to seeing the innovative programs these partners will continue to deliver."

Sharp also trains and recognizes dealers through its "Dealer of Excellence in Promoting Energy-Efficient Products program and offers additional training via the web that ensures the benefits of Sharp's energy-efficient products are properly conveyed to consumers.

Sharp is an active participant in the EPA's SmartWays program that sets high energy-efficiency standards for freight shippers in the CE industry, and is a four-time SmartWay Excellence Award winner. 

The Electronic Manufacturers Recycling Management Company (MRM), which Sharp co-owns and operates with Toshiba and Panasonic, has grown to 350 sites located across all 50 U.S. states. Since its start in 2007, MRM has recycled 30 million pounds of electronics, and Sharp alone has been responsible for more than 9 million pounds of recycled electronic material through the program. Sharp also provides consumers with free downloadable mailing labels they can use to recycle empty Sharp printer toner cartridges.

In 2010, Sharp upgraded its manufacturing and office facilities with a new solar electric system at Sharp Manufacturing Company of America's Memphis solar manufacturing facility.