Press Contacts

OSRAM SYLVANIA LAUNCHES GLOBAL CARE
SUSTAINABILITY PROGRAM
North American Lighting Leader Commits to Cut Energy Use 10 Percent by 2008

Chicago, Ill. (Nov. 7, 2007) – OSRAM SYLVANIA today announced the company’s Global Care sustainability initiative, which represents the North American lighting leader’s commitment to social and environmental responsibility. In addition, the company has to commit to cut energy use 10 percent by 2008 at all its facilities throughout the United States, Canada and Mexico.

“Global Care will drive positive results to the triple bottom line addressing social, economic and environmental needs,” Charlie Jerabek, OSRAM SYLVANIA president and CEO, said. “This initiative represents SYLVANIA’s dedication to meeting customers’ lighting needs with a sustainable approach to product design, development, manufacturing and distribution.”

Global Care is the latest milestone in OSRAM SYLVANIA’s long history of environmental achievement. A six-time ENERGY STAR® Award winner, the company recently celebrated the 10-year anniversary of ECOLOGIC®, the company’s innovative line of environmentally preferable products. ECOLOGIC lamps have prevented 70,000 pounds of mercury and 1.4 million pounds of lead from entering the environment over the past decade.
 
Today, OSRAM SYLVANIA is launching the Global Care program with several bold initiatives, including a 10 percent reduction in company energy use by 2008. All OSRAM SYLVANIA facilities in Canada, Mexico and the United States have committed to this energy efficiency goal.  In addition, all facilities in Mexico will achieve the same ISO14001 compliance certification as has been awarded to all US and Canadian manufacturing plants.  The ISO 14001 certification ensures corporate compliance and accountability by requiring systematic documentation, monitoring and review of all environmentally relevant data in the development, manufacturing and supply of SYLVANIA lighting products.

In addition, the company has established an online recycling service that is an industry first. In association with Veolia Environmental Services, North America’s largest lamp and ballast recycler, OSRAM SYLVANIA now offers RECYCLEPAK®, a line of consumer and business recycling kits that can be conveniently purchased online and delivered to homes and businesses. 

Product improvements will play a major role in the Global Care program.   The recently launched elogic™ incandescent lamp is the only incandescent product to meet California 2008 light bulb standards – a full year in advance.  The company has also avoided the use of close to 1.4 million pounds of lead from its incandescent, halogen and HID lamps, has pioneered the use of lead-free welded bases, and is now aiming to completely eliminate the use lead in its ballasts.

OSRAM SYLVANIA is also committed to eliminating polyvinylchloride (PVC) from its packaging. A new 100 percent recycled paperboard package, called Smart Pack, is an easy-to-open and environmentally preferable alternative to PVC compact fluorescent packaging. For other PVC product packages, the company is transitioning to plastic materials suitable for curbside recycling. 

“These innovative Global Care measures are significant steps in OSRAM SYLVANIA’s ongoing effort to save energy, reduce landfill waste and consume fewer natural resources,” concluded Jerabek.

More information on the OSRAM SYLVANIA Global Care program is available at www.sylvania.com/aboutus/energyandenvironment/.