EPA, LG Electronics USA Collaborate on Broad Environmental Sustainability Initiatives

WASHINGTON, December 27, 2012 /3BL Media/– The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and LG Electronics USA (LG) have entered into an agreement to collaborate on a number of environmentally beneficial goals.

Under the agreement signed by EPA and LG (a 2012 ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year), the company has pledged to participate in a broad array of EPA environmental stewardship programs with technical assistance and support from the EPA. The memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the EPA and LG, states that the company will pursue a series of initiatives, including:

• Enhancing its leadership in the ENERGY STAR® program by joining the ENERGY STAR Commercial Building Program,
• Expanding its role in the EPA Green Power Partnership Program by increasing its purchase of green power,
• Joining the EPA WasteWise Program to enhance waste prevention programs, recycling practices and sustainable purchasing at all U.S. facilities.  
• Incorporating EPA WaterSense technologies in its facilities to conserve water,
• Supporting EPA Sustainable Materials Management programs for electronics and food waste recycling challenges,
• Utilizing the EPA GreenScapes program to support environmentally beneficial landscaping practices that can reduce waste, conserve water and cut energy usage,
• Adopting the EPA Clean Construction USA Program to help reduce emissions from internal combustion engines used in facility construction and operation,
• Implementing environmental best practices in energy management systems to reduce greenhouse gas emissions,
• Achieving LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certifications from the U.S. Green Building Council.

The MOU – the first such agreement signed by a leading consumer electronics and appliance manufacturer – also covers product stewardship, environmentally-preferred purchasing, green infrastructure, green transportation and environmental education initiatives in which EPA and LG will collaborate.

LG Electronics USA’s environmental sustainability and energy conservation efforts are exemplified by a major new project under way in New Jersey. LG is planning to construct a 493,167-square- foot, eight-story state-of-art office building on a 27-acre lot in Englewood Cliffs to serve as its new North American headquarters. The proposed design is highly responsive to the environment and includes a number of environmentally enhanced elements that are designed to achieve at least a Gold LEED certification.

The company’s focus on environmental and energy management extends beyond the new headquarters building. More than 15 office buildings in the LG portfolio are being reviewed for operating and energy efficiency enhancements as well. Supporting the key elements of this MOU, the company has committed to an industry-leading 50 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions for its U.S. operations by 2020, compared with a 2007 baseline.   

Already a proud member of the EPA’s GreenPower Partnership (GPP), LG is purchasing 100 percent green energy for its current New Jersey headquarters and intends to increase green power in its energy portfolio.  For example, LG will construct and operate an 85,000-quare-foot array of LG own photovoltaic solar at its new headquarters facility, which will generate an annual amount of 1,047 MWH.  Under the MOU, the company is in the process of reviewing green power options for other U.S operations. 

The programs covered by the MOU supplement LG’s a broad array of sustainability initiatives  including energy efficiency and greenhouse gas reductions in manufacturing and the supply chain; consumer education aimed at reducing the environmental footprint of product use; producer responsibility through consumer take back/recycling programs; reduction in the use of hazardous substances; deployment and promotion of renewable energy technologies; and development of innovative green life cycle product designs.

LG Electronics USA will submit an annual status report to EPA. EPA will use this report to determine the environmental benefits associated with the company’s “green” activities and provide feedback on ways to further improve its environmental performance.

About the EPA
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s mission is to protect human health and the environment.  The EPA's purpose is to ensure that all Americans are protected from significant risks to human health and the environment where they live, learn and work; national efforts to reduce environmental risk are based on the best available scientific information; federal laws protecting human health and the environment are enforced fairly and effectively; environmental protection is an integral consideration in U.S. policies concerning natural resources, human health, economic growth, energy, transportation, agriculture, industry, and international trade, and these factors are similarly considered in establishing environmental policy; all parts of society -- communities, individuals, businesses, and state, local and tribal governments -- have access to accurate information sufficient to effectively participate in managing human health and environmental risks; environmental protection contributes to making our communities and ecosystems diverse, sustainable and economically productive; and the United States plays a leadership role in working with other nations to protect the global environment.

About LG Electronics USA
LG Electronics USA, Inc., based in Englewood Cliffs, N.J., is the North American subsidiary of LG Electronics, Inc., a $49 billion global force in consumer electronics, home appliances and mobile communications. LG Electronics, a 2012 ENERGY STAR® Partner of the Year, sells a range of stylish and innovative home entertainment products, mobile phones, home appliances, commercial displays, air conditioning systems and solar energy solutions in the United States, all under LG’s “Life’s Good” marketing theme. For more information, please visit www.lg.com and www.lg.com/us/energy-star.