Panasonic leads way in appliance-recycling treasure hunt

The amount of glass recycled from one television could make 68 drinking tumblers, and the aluminium recycled from one air conditioner could make 190 beer cans.

The amount of iron that can be recycled from a refrigerator is enough to make 13 pans.

Such surprising statistics were showcased at Panasonic's recycling centre on the outskirts of Osaka, Japan, where since 1991 the company has focused its efforts to recycle televisions, refrigerators and freezers, washing machines and air conditioners.

The electronics giant's efforts to recycle are indicative of a growing consciousness among big-name brands trying to maintain sustainable businesses in the face of dwindling natural resources - including copper and iron.

Panasonic's eco-friendly efforts were on display during Japan's biggest consumer electronics expo, Ceatec, this month.

Addressing 1000 people in a speech that kicked off the expo's 10th anniversary year, Panasonic president Fumio Ohtsubo acknowledged the environmental challenges faced by all electronics companies.

The industry was facing an increase in demand for electronics amid what he described as a "green revolution". Among several of the company's initiatives are a not-for-profit recycling factory and the Panasonic Eco Technology Centre (dubbed Petec), in Yashiro, near Osaka.

The factory aims to break even, make new products cheaper by reusing old parts, and to change consumer attitudes to the recycling of electronics.

A tour of the centre revealed how the old electronics were dismantled for parts - some by crushing machine, others by hand.

The din of crushing glass and banging sound can be heard over the noisy hum of conveyer belts, as some of the factory's 179 staff work the recycling chain.

Machines separate glass, plastic, copper, aluminium and other products, using magnets and vibration technology.

Panasonic is looking to develop more machines to lengthen the list of the goods it recycles.

Employees work under signs that display the Petec motto - "treasure hunting".

Petec began operating in April 2001, in response to home appliance recycling laws introduced to Japan.

Beck Vass travelled to Tokyo as a guest of Panasonic.