Sharp® Receives 2012 ENERGY STAR® Award for Excellence in Energy-Efficient Product Design

MAHWAH, N.J., March 15, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Sharp Electronics Corporation has been selected to receive a 2012 Excellence in Energy-Efficient Product Design Award from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) ENERGY STAR® program. This award recognizes Sharp's 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. Sharp will receive this award at a ceremony in Washington, D.C. on March 15, 2012.

"This is a great honor for Sharp. The ideals upheld by the ENERGY STAR program are consistent with those of our corporate vision to contribute to the world through environmentally-improved and health-conscious businesses, focusing on energy-saving and energy-creating products," said Bob Scaglione, chief marketing officer, Sharp Electronics Corporation. "Our efforts in this area are diverse and go far beyond the products we manufacture. This is demonstrated through our ongoing enhancements to our manufacturing facilities to reduce energy use, our MRM electronic waste recycling program, our comprehensive renewable energy educational program for elementary school students, our free nationwide Sharp TV and copier cartridge recycling program for consumers and many other initiatives."

Growing Line of Energy-Efficient Products

The seven categories in which Sharp offered ENERGY STAR qualified products in 2011 include air conditioners; air purifiers; audio; copiers/printer/multifunction peripherals; DVD players; monitors/displays and televisions.  Sharp's AQUOS Quattron televisions, with Quad Pixel Technology, boast energy efficiency levels of as much as 55% above ENERGY STAR standards.

In 2011, 30 of Sharp's LCD TV models were ENERGY STAR qualified, as well as all of its Blu-ray Disc™ players. Sharp introduced additional models of ENERGY STAR qualified professional monitors, including its touch screen interactive display system. In addition, the document systems the company introduced in 2011 are significantly more efficient in typical operating conditions than earlier models.

Sharp proudly meets, and often exceeds, the product-labeling requirements of the ENERGY STAR program and incorporates instructions in the owner's manuals on how consumers can maximize energy-efficiency by using products' key features and functions.

Industry Leadership in Energy Efficiency

Sharp had more TV models recognized by EPA ENERGY STAR's "Most Efficient" category at the time of the award application than any other manufacturer.

Beyond offering comprehensive ENERGY STAR product labeling and in-box materials, Sharp provides promotional and point-of-purchase materials including 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.

Over the past 20 years, American families and businesses have saved nearly $230 billion on utility bills and prevented greenhouse gas emissions equal to those from more than 350 million vehicles with help from ENERGY STAR.

"Sharp is committed to helping our customers save money and protect the environment with innovative ENERGY STAR qualified products," said Bob Scaglione, chief marketing officer, Sharp Electronics Corporation. "Our partnership with ENERGY STAR is integral to our growing business."

"As we celebrate the 20th anniversary of the ENERGY STAR program, EPA is proud to recognize Sharp with the 2012 ENERGY STAR Excellence in Energy-Efficient Product Design Award," said EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson. "Sharp and all our ENERGY STAR award winners truly demonstrate how the leadership and commitment from EPA's partners has made a difference in the lives of Americans since 1992, saving them billions of dollars in energy costs and improving the health of our families, the planet and our future."

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

Sharp has expanded its leadership in the measurement of energy-efficiency in the television manufacturing industry in 2011, drafting what has become the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) industry standard CEA-2037. Sharp is also an active participant in the EPA's SmartWay(SM) program that sets high energy-efficiency standards for freight shippers in the CE industry. Sharp 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 1100 sites located across all 50 U.S. states. Since its start in 2007, MRM has recycled 128 million pounds of electronics, and Sharp alone has been responsible for more than 10.3 million pounds of recycled electronic material through the program.

Sharp encourages customers to recycle their used Sharp toner cartridges in bulk by providing a pre-paid Recycling Kit for their return to our facility.

Sharp is a world-leading manufacturer of solar cells and panels and offers the Sharp Solar Academy, a hands-on renewable energy education program for students, at U.S. elementary schools. Since the program began in 2008, it has reached more than 8,500 students.

For more information on Sharp's energy efficient products, contact Sharp Electronics Corporation, Sharp Plaza, Mahwah, N.J., 07495-1163, or call 800-BE-SHARP.  For online product information, visit Sharp's Web site at sharpusa.com.  Become a fan of Sharp at www.facebook.com/SharpUSA, follow us on Twitter @Sharp_USA. and view us on YouTube www.youtube.com/sharpelectronicsusa.

About ENERGY STAR

ENERGY STAR was introduced by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in 1992 as a voluntary market-based partnership to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through increased energy efficiency. Now celebrating its 20th anniversary, ENERGY STAR offers businesses and consumers energy-efficient solutions to save energy, money and help protect the environment for future generations. About 20,000 organizations are ENERGY STAR partners committed to improving the energy efficiency of products, homes, buildings and businesses. For more information about ENERGY STAR, visit www.energystar.gov or call toll-free 1-888-STAR-YES (1-888-782-7937).

Sharp Electronics Corporation is the U.S. subsidiary of Japan's Sharp Corporation, a worldwide developer of one-of-a-kind home entertainment products, appliances, networked multifunctional office solutions, solar energy solutions, LED lighting and mobile communication and information tools. Leading brands include AQUOS® Quattron™ LCD televisions and 3DTVs, SharpVision® projectors, Insight® Microwave Drawer® ovens, AQUOS BOARD™ interactive display systems, Notevision® multimedia projectors and Plasmacluster® air purifiers. For more information visit Sharp Electronics Corporation at www.sharpusa.com.  Find us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter and watch us on YouTube.

Sharp, AQUOS and all related trademarks are trademarks or registered trademarks of Sharp Corporation and/or its affiliated entities.

ENERGY STAR® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

SmartWay(SM) is a service mark of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Blu-ray Disc™, Blu-ray™ and Blu-ray 3D™ are the logos and trademarks of the Blu-ray Disc Association.

SOURCE Sharp Electronics Corporation