PANASONIC, in an effort to realise one of its twin business visions – co-existence with the global environment – is committed to reducing carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from its production activities by 300,000 tonnes globally over three years from fiscal year 2008 to 2010.
This will begin at home. Tony Endoh, managing director of Panasonic Malaysia Sdn Bhd, says: “We believe in promoting eco ideas internally to our staff first before promoting it externally to the public. Therefore, we have adopted a series of activities – for example, no overtime day, saving energy by switching off air-conditioners and lights, no driving out for lunch day to save petrol and reduce our carbon footprint as well as recycling and office cleaning to maintain a clean and healthy work environment and work culture.
“We are also introducing a flexi working hour from 10am to 4pm to avoid the rush hour as an initiative to help reduce global warming.”
As part of its environmental sustainability management activities, Panasonic will focus on three initiatives.
Eco ideas for manufacturing
To reduce CO2 emissions in the group’s activities, Panasonic will improve productivity in all manufacturing processes, including product planning, procurement, marketing, logistics and recycling.
For the Clean Factories initiatives, Panasonic emphasises preventing global warming, reducing total waste, and reducing the release and transfer of chemical substances. The company is endeavouring to minimise all input and output and to make all their manufacturing sites into Clean Factories.
Panasonic also promotes green logistics and recycling waste to help prevent global warming and reduce air pollution.
Eco ideas for everybody, everywhere
Panasonic will expand eco activities to local communities around the world. The company is promoting awareness-raising activities such as Love the Earth Citizens’ Campaign to encourage employees and their families to be active participants in eco initiatives at home, the workplace and local communities.
Panasonic is aiming to establish factories living in harmony with local communities and societies.
Eco ideas for products
In addition to giving environmental consideration to materials and promoting recycling-oriented designs, Panasonic will accelerate development of energy conservation technologies while eliminating products with low energy efficiency.
The company is also striving to develop technologies for resource conservation while improving product functions.
Reducing resources will reduce the amount of material used; reduce the rate of non-circulating resources over their life cycles; use more recycled resources; and increase recyclable resources. At the same time, Panasonic will reduce CO2 emissions through material production.
Panasonic has come up with a range of energy-saving products that are good for both the environment and the consumer. These products were highlighted at the Eco Ideas, Home and Visual Audio Solutions exhibition last October at Mid Valley Exhibition Centre in KL. Panasonic offers creative solutions for consumers and demonstrates how its stylish and environmentally friendly products, supported by technological excellence, allow consumers to enjoy their daily lives while being mindful of the environment.
The highlight of the Eco Ideas exhibition were four energy-efficient products: lightbulbs that can save 80% energy, the inverter technology air-conditioner that can save 50% energy, the Aquabeat Plus washing machine that can save 40% energy and the I-Inverter technology refrigerator that can save 20% energy.
The I-inverter range of refrigerators, known as the Vegerator, is the latest to join the eco-friendly line-up of Panasonic products. The Vegerator has advanced cooling and energy-saving performance.
The refrigerators incorporate Intelligent Inverter (I-Inverter) technology, which was developed specially to lower the running cost of such machines. Thus, consumers get powerful cooling performance that could also save up to 20% in terms of power consumption. There are four models in the range that come with two-, four- and six-door options to cater to every household’s needs. These refrigerators are also equipped with multi-hygienic functions to eliminate unpleasant odours, inactive mould and bacteria.
“At Panasonic, we are concerned about rising electricity costs and environmental damage associated with power-producing methods. Hence, our I-Inverter technology is the result of dedicated research and development and Panasonic is the first company in the world to develop and market an inverter-controlled refrigerator,” says Endoh.
The I-Inverter technology has an intelligent sensor that cleverly detects temperature changes when the door is opened or closed or based on the amount of food stored. Simply adjusting the temperature makes it more efficient and stable, hence energy-saving.
“The 20% energy consumption saving is a significant amount considering that the refrigerator is ranked second behind air-conditioners in terms of power consumption among all household appliances. It also represents a small but significant step towards reducing global warming, thereby creating a healthier and more sustainable ecological environment,” Endoh adds.
The Vegerator series is available at all authorised Panasonic dealers nationwide and is priced between RM999 and RM6,999.
For inspiration and ideas, log on to Panasonic’s website at www.panasonic.com.my
