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OSRAM SYLVANIA Joins EPA Climate Leaders
Company Joins Initiative to Reduce Greenhouse Gases
Chicago, Ill. (Nov. 7, 2007) – As a part of its continued commitment to sustainable practices, North American lighting leader, OSRAM SYLVANIA, announced today its participation in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) Climate Leaders program. By participating in Climate Leaders, SYLVANIA has pledged to reduce its corporate-wide greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. This commitment to reduce green house gas emissions is just one of many social and environmental goals set by the company through its recently launched Global Care program.
“Climate Leaders presented us with a new goal on which to set our sights,” Jennifer Dolin, environmental marketing manager, SYLVANIA, said. “As we continue to make changes to increase the sustainability of our practices and products as part of our Global Care program, we are looking for new challenges to make us a better company. The Climate Leaders program is a natural next step. They will help us benchmark our current emissions, and set a long-term goal for greenhouse gas reductions.”
The SYLVANIA Global Care program aims to promote the company’s goals and achievements towards increased sustainable products and practices. These goals include a commitment to cut energy by 10 percent in 2007 at all its facilities throughout the United States, Canada and Mexico. 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 of lead in its ballasts.
SYLVANIA is also committed to eliminating polyvinylchloride (PVC) plastic from its packaging. A new 100 percent recycled paperboard package, called Smart Pak, is an easy-to-open alternative to sealed PVC plastic packaging. For retailers that prefer plastic packages, the company is transitioning to environmentally preferable plastic materials suitable for curbside recycling.
"OSRAM SYLVANIA is demonstrating corporate climate change leadership by embracing energy efficiency and technological innovation as sound business investments," said Kathleen Hogan, Director, Climate Protection Partnerships Division, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. "Many of the nation's leading companies are working aggressively with EPA to lower their greenhouse gas emissions."
To learn more about SYLVANIA’s commitment to energy and the environment, please visit www.sylvania.com/AboutUs/EnergyAndEnvironment/.
About OSRAM SYLVANIA:
OSRAM SYLVANIA is a leader in lighting solutions and specialty products that feature innovative design and energy saving technology. The company sells products for homes, businesses and vehicles primarily under the SYLVANIA brand name, and also under the OSRAM brand. Headquartered in Danvers, Mass., OSRAM SYLVANIA is the North American operation of OSRAM GmbH, a wholly owned subsidiary of Siemens AG. For more information, visit www.sylvania.com
About CLIMATE LEADERS:
Launched in February 2002, EPA’s Climate Leaders is an industry-government partnership that works to develop long-term comprehensive corporate climate change strategies.
Climate Leaders Partners set a corporate-wide greenhouse gas reduction goal and inventory their emissions to measure progress. By reporting inventory data to EPA, Partners create a lasting record of their accomplishments. Partners also identify themselves as corporate environmental leaders and strategically position themselves as climate change policy continues to unfold.
Climate Leaders Partners represent a variety of sectors, from heavy manufacturing to banking and retail. These companies all strive to set the standard for greenhouse gas management in their sectors, and more broadly in the U.S. economy.