Electronics threesome make recycling union

As the US gets ready to ditch its analog (or analogue to anyone who knows how to spell) TVs and swap to digital instead, three electronics companies have scented blood and announced a union to deal with all the upcoming TV related tat.

Panasonic, Sharp and Toshiba have joined up – Greenbang hopes literally in some Power Rangers massive robot type way – to make the Electronics Manufacturers Recycling Management Company or EMRM, for short to provide recycling services.

MRM will provide a recycling service to electronics manufacturers and others, including state and local governments. In addition to planning for recycling programs in several states from late 2008 or 2009, including Connecticut, North Carolina, Oregon, Texas and Washington, MRM is also positioned to offer recycling services as needed in other states or on a national scale. Going forward MRM anticipates working with concerned stakeholders to develop a viable, long-term national solution.”

We believe that forming an independent company to manage collective electronic recycling programs is the best way to achieve the economies of scale and efficiencies necessary to create a sustainable recycling system for used electronics products.” said David Thompson, MRM President.

“MRM has already entered into collection and recycling agreements with HitachiElectronics, JVC, Mitsubishi, Philips, Pioneer, Sanyo and Olevia brand maker Syntax-Brillian, and looks forward to working with other manufacturers going forward.”

Greenbang can’t help be impressed with the business model – make money once when you sell a telly, then make money getting rid of it.