Broadway 'Goes Green' With Energy-Efficient Washers and Dryers From LG Electronics

NEW YORK, June 14 /PRNewswire/ -- Home appliance leader LG Electronics USA, with assistance from stars from the stage and screen, including Tony Award winners Scarlett Johansson and Viola Davis, as well as Helen Mirren, Sean Hayes, Nathan Lane, Raquel Welch, Kristen Chenoweth and the band Green Day  helped make the Great White Way "green" last night at the 64th Annual Tony Awards®.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20100614/AQ20392-a)

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20100614/AQ20392-a)

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20100614/AQ20392-b)

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20100614/AQ20392-b)

As the premier sponsor of The Official Talent Gift Lounge backstage at The Tony Awards produced by On 3 Productions, LG pledged to donate an ultra energy efficient washer and dryer to a Broadway theater in the name of each visitor to the Lounge. In cooperation with Broadway Green Alliance (BGA), LG will outfit all 45 Broadway theaters with new laundry pairs, among the most energy efficient washers on the market, to drastically reduce energy and water usage for years to come.

Over the past two years, BGA members have implemented a host of greener practices including major recycling programs, switching to more eco-friendly cleaning products and converting marquee and outside lighting to more efficient LED or CFL bulbs. The BGA also has encouraged facilities to switch to more efficient appliances.

On average, a Broadway theater does six loads or 54 pounds of laundry each day. By replacing traditional top-loaders with LG's new energy-efficient models, it is estimated that the theaters can save 146,000 Kilowatt hours of electricity and 1.5 million gallons of water annually, for a total savings of $23,000 a year. According to the BGA, that's enough to light all of the marquees on Broadway for three months.

"When you think of Broadway, you probably don't think of laundry. But the reality is that the theater community generates thousands of pounds of laundry a week, which results in a huge expenditure of water and energy," said Susan Sampliner, co-chair, Broadway Green Alliance. "By partnering with LG to replace theaters' older laundry pairs with new ultra efficient washers and dryers, we will be able to drastically reduce our energy and water consumption."

Stars who stopped by the Gift Lounge not only helped LG assist Broadway in going green, but also "aired their dirty laundry." Celebrities, including Antonio Banderas, Melanie Griffith, Mark Sanchez, Jamie-Lynn Sigler, Ricky Martin, Matthew Morrison, Paula Abdul, Chris Noth and David Hyde Pierce, autographed a t-shirt made of recycled bottles and shared their juiciest secret or best tidbit of Hollywood gossip.

The shirts, featured phrases such as "Whose dirty laundry would you want to wash?" Paula Abdul answered Simon Cowell, and Laura Bell Bundy thought Jesse James' needed the most laundering. Members of Green Day revealed that Tre Cool has the dirtiest laundry in the band, while Justin Bartha said Zach Galifianakis took the title on the set of "The Hangover."

"LG enthusiastically supports the Broadway Green Alliance and their efforts to make the country's most famous theaters more eco-friendly," said Peter Reiner, senior vice president, marketing, LG Electronics USA. "By outfitting dozens of venues with our ultra-efficient washers and dryers, we are helping to transform Broadway into something greener and something better."

LG's Direct Drive washer features innovative 6Motion™ technology that allows the drum to tailor each load with a combination of motions including rolling, stepping, swinging, scrubbing, filtration and tumbling. 6Motion technology allows for advanced washing options like ColdWash™, which uses cold water and enhanced motions to penetrate deep into fabrics, providing consumers with the cleaning performance of warm water, though using up to 51 percent less energy. Like all LG washers, the new models are Energy-Star rated and use up to 40 percent less water than conventional top-load machines.

For more information about LG products, please visit www.LG.com.

ABOUT LG ELECTRONICS USA

LG Electronics USA, Inc., based in Englewood Cliffs, N.J., is the North American subsidiary of LG Electronics, Inc., a global force and technology leader in consumer electronics, home appliances and mobile communications. In the United States, LG Electronics sells a range of stylish and innovative home entertainment products, mobile phones, home appliances and business solutions, all under LG's "Life's Good" marketing theme. For more information, please visit www.LG.com.

SOURCE LG Electronics USA, Inc.