While various energy-saving initiatives have been implemented in advanced countries, wider use of home appliances and digital equipment in emerging and developing countries causes significant increases in power consumption and CO2 emissions. Electrical appliance manufacturers have a responsibility to support convenient and comfortable lifestyles while minimizing CO2 emissions. Toshiba Group is making every effort to improve the environmental performance of all its products. We will continue our efforts to achieve the highest level of environmental performance for all products that we develop.
Three prerequisites for ECP certification
Since FY2010, we have revised our standards for certifying environmentally conscious products (ECP). The revised standards are designed to ensure benchmarking for the future at the time of product development. Products are assessed in terms of efficient use of resources, mitigation of climate change, and management of chemical substances. Among ECPs, those that achieve the highest level of environmental performance are certified as Excellent ECPs.
The LED REGZA is an LCD TV with a high-density screen and an easy-to-use video function designed by combining the next-generation REGZA engine (a newly developed highdensity image-processing system) with an LED panel. Power consumption is reduced via the LED backlight, offering the highest level of environmental performance in the industry.
- Energy saving
2010 spring model, 42Z1 (42-inch model) - Offers a 40% reduction* in power consumption with an LED backlight. Designed to achieve both outstanding energy-saving performance and superior picture quality.
- Resource saving
2010 spring model, 42Z1 (42-inch model) - The slim, minimalist design offers a 26% reduction* in main unit weight, while the reduction in the thickness and weight of the main unit has reduced the size of packaging, which further reduces CO2 generated during transportation.
* In comparison with the 2007 model, 42Z3500
In developing notebook PCs, we consider the environmental impacts throughout the life-cycle, from the procurement of materials, production, and use, through to the final disposal of products. Through life cycle assessment (LCA), we calculate the environmental impact of each stage of the product life cycle, including that of each material in the procurement stage and the consumption of power and water during assembly in the production stage, in order to mitigate that impact. In 2009 we received the Green IT Promotion Council Chairman's Award (Green IT AWARD 2009) and the Japan Forum on Eco-Efficiency (JFEE) Chairman's Award (Eco-Efficiency Award 2009) for our long-standing efforts. In addition, in the US, most of our notebook PCs have earned EPEAT®* Gold status.
* EPEAT: Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool
- Energy saving
- Power saving with LED backlight and Solid State Drive (SSD)(in some models)
- Resource saving
- Includes downsizing of magnesium casing and printed circuit boards
- Chemical management
- Includes a mercury-free LCD and use of halogen- and antimony compound-free materials in the main printed circuit board
Products Certified as Excellent ECPs in FY2009
Advertisement announcing the switchover from incandescent to LED lamps
With a view to contributing to the mitigation of climate change, on March 17, 2010 we ceased production of general-use incandescent bulbs, a product which Toshiba was first to manufacture in Japan. Ichisuke Fujioka, one of the founders of Toshiba, is credited with commercially producing Japan's first incandescent lamps in 1890. Thus we have ended a history spanning 120 years. Instead, we will promote the use of LED lighting systems, including LED lamps, which have longer service lives of 40,000 hours and reduce CO2 emissions by approximately 80% compared with incandescent lamps.
* akari: A Japanese word used in this context as a defining theme for Toshiba's lighting
