Panasonic launches consumer electronics takeback program

Panasonic Corp. of North America, Newark, New Jersey, has announced a takeback program for certain consumer electronic devices. The pilot program, called Take Back for Tomorrow, will start with electronic personal care devices, such as shavers and trimmers, as the company attempts to recycle components that would otherwise end up in landfills.

According to Panasonic, the program aims to start diverting this e-scrap—which includes batteries, metals and other materials trapped in the devices—to an input stream for a more circular supply chain and pay consumers to take part in it.

To participate, an owner of an electric battery shaver or trimmer must sign up at PanasonicMultiShape.com. Panasonic says it covers the costs for shipping the end-of-life product along with Fresno, California-based partner ERI, which generates a pre-paid label for consumers to pack and ship the device at their convenience for recycling.

Panasonic says its vision for the program is to advance circularity within the U.S. supply chain where components from its consumer electronics, starting with personal care devices, are recycled by ERI. All lithium-ion batteries in these devices are sent to Carson City, Nevada-based Redwood Materials, who will then recycle and remanufacture metals into anode and cathode components for Panasonic’s electric vehicle (EV) batteries.

Redwood says it is creating a closed-loop domestic supply chain for lithium-ion batteries across collection, refurbishment, recycling, refining and remanufacturing of sustainable battery materials. Redwood and Panasonic recently announced that recycled cathode active materials from Redwood will be used in lithium-ion batteries to be manufactured at Panasonic’s new De Soto, Kansas, EV battery facility, which is slated to open in 2025.

RELATED: Redwood Materials announces deals with Panasonic, Lyft

ERI’s nationwide footprint will help reduce shipping and make the program more carbon-efficient, Panasonic says. The companies are joined by Electronic Manufacturers Recycling Management Co. (MRM), which will help manage the overall program including recycling coordination and recycler auditing to ensure a safe, responsible recycling program that contributes to the companies’ shared sustainability goals.

 “We are proud to partner with ERI, Redwood Materials and MRM on this pilot program to help save personal care products from landfills,” says Walter Taffarello, Panasonic director of appliance and beauty merchandise. “Disassembly and then recycling or reusing all the parts of end-of-life products is essential to protecting natural resources. Together, we can work toward a more sustainable, circular future where nothing is wasted but rather repurposed for another use.”

“It is an honor to be working with Panasonic, Redwood Materials and MRM on such an innovative and consumer-friendly program,” ERI Chairman and CEO John Shegerian says. “The work we will be doing will prevent household electronics from ending up in landfills, diverting them back into the circular economy while providing a convenient way for people to do the right thing for the planet.”

Individuals who participate and send in an eligible device will receive 30 percent off the purchase of a new Panasonic MultiShape device, the company says. In the U.S., the MultiShape device comes in 100 percent recyclable corrugated packaging and features a toiletry bag made from 100 percent recycled polyethylene terephthalate (rPET) nylon.