The Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries (ISRI), Washington, has announced that LG Electronics Inc. is the recipient of its 2015 Design for Recycling (DFR) Award. The electronics company was recognized for its advanced new television products that emphasize recycling throughout their life cycle, ISRI says.
ISRI says its DFR Award is given annually to products designed with recycling in mind. It recognizes proactive steps made by manufacturers that have actively incorporated DFR principles into products and processes.
“ISRI is proud to present the 2015 Design for Recycling Award to LG for prioritizing recyclability in the design and manufacture of its products,” says the organization's President Robin Wiener. “Commitment to sustainability serves as a core principle for LG. The initiatives they have undertaken to increase product recyclability, improve resource efficiency and expand the use of recycled materials within the manufacturing process made LG a perfect selection for this year’s award.”
LG has been recognized specifically for its 4K Ultra HD OLED and LED television sets. The product design for these models includes these recycling-friendly traits: mercury-free display panels; use of recycled and recyclable plastics; inclusion of PVC (polyvinyl chloride) and BFR0 (brominated flame retardant-) free components; small and lighter packaging; ease of disassembly and label/seal separation; and standardized materials and connection types.
“A main focus for us at LG is ‘Innovation for a Better Life.’ This means bringing to market cutting-edge products and technologies that enhance consumers’ lives while doing our part to help save the planet,” says William Cho, president and CEO of LG Electronics USA. “LG’s commitment to design for recycling exemplifies our commitment to environmental sustainability, and we are honored to receive this special DFR recognition from the experts at ISRI.”
LG will receive the award April 25 during the 2015 ISRI Convention and Exposition in Vancouver, British Columbia.
ISRI says to be eligible for its DFR Award, products must be designed or redesigned and manufactured to:
- contain the maximum amount of materials that are recyclable;
- be easily recycled through current or newly designed recycling processes and procedures;
- be cost effective to recycle whereby the cost to recycle does not exceed the value of its recycled materials;
- be free of hazardous materials that are not recyclable or impede the recycling process;
- minimize the time and cost involved to recycle the product;
- reduce the use of raw materials by including recycled materials and/or components; and
- have a net gain in the overall recyclability of the product while reducing the overall negative impact on the environment.
Previous winners of the award include Dell Inc., Cascades Fine Papers Group, Coca-Cola Recycling Co., Hewlett-Packard, The Herman Miller Co. and Wind Simplicity.