choosing eco-products make informed decisions when you're shopping for eco items, using Sony products, and recycling old electronics.

tip #1: look for energy-saving features

Products with energy-saving features can help you avoid wasting energy while saving money on utility bills. Many Sony TVs have a light sensor that automatically adjusts picture brightness to suit light levels, so you can enjoy optimum viewing and save energy too.

tip #2: make use of recycled plastics

Choosing a product made from recycled materials means supporting the recycling of wastes and the use of recycled materials without compromising the quality of the product. Sony has uniquely developed a recycled plastic, namely SoRPlas, Sony Recycled Plastics, which is made of 99% recycled plastic. Cyber-shot® HX30/HX20 series digital cameras and HDR-TD20V Handycam camcorder® are among models that use SoRPlas in housing and some internal plastic components. Sony Electronics was recognized by American Chemistry Council with Innovation in Plastics Recycling Award in 2012 for development and application of SoRPlas. We also try to design our products so that they use fewer materials and are easily separable for recycling.

tip #3: opt for sustainable processes

See if the product has been made using sustainable processes – from sourcing materials to manufacturing to waste removal. We have implemented a global environmental management system certified to ISO 14001 to drive continuous improvements in reducing environmental impact throughout the business operation. We also have strict standards for suppliers for raw materials and conduct assessment of waste management vendors, aiming to reduce certain substances in our products and ensuring responsible waste management and recycling.

tip #4: buy from responsible companies

Before buying a product, find out what the company behind it stands for. Is it making efforts to be more sustainable? At Sony, we believe innovations and technology can be part of the sustainable society. Find more about our commitment and a message from the Sony group CEO, visit http://www.sony.net/csr/.

tip #5: look for EPEAT® participation

EPEAT®, or the Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool, is designed to help you compare and select electronic products based on their environmental attributes. All of our all-in-one desktops and VAIO® notebooks are registered to EPEAT for their environmentally conscious design and our overall eco-conscious efforts. For more, please visit www.epeat.net.

understanding the energy guide label

The EnergyGuide label can help you compare the energy use of different models as you shop for an appliance. The more energy efficient an appliance is, the less it costs to run, and the lower your utility bills. Using less energy is good for the environment, too; it can reduce air pollution and help conserve natural resources. Here's what to look for:

  • Energy Guide

tune in to your tv when your favorite show's over, help save the planet's resources — and lower your energy bill.

tip #1: music television

Let's say you listen to music on your TV about 4 hours a day, every day for a year. If you stream or tune into digital radio with your screen off, you could save enough energy to run your VAIO laptop for up to 4 years.

tip #2: power down

TVs are often on for as many hours watched as they are unwatched. If you switch yours off before leaving the room, the energy you save in a year could power a fridge-freezer for 39 days.

Did you know? Many SonyTVs have smart sensors that can tell whether you're watching the TV screen, and automatically dim or switch off the picture to save energy if you stop watching.

tip #3: the magic switch

Even when turned off, most electronics still use energy. With Sony's Energy Saving Switch, you can eliminate this standby power. When the switch is turned off, it reduces the TV's standby power to nearly nothing. If your TV doesn't have an Energy Saving Switch, unplug it or turn off the power strip.

tip #4: the built-in tuner

If you have a built-in tuner, use that instead of a set top box. Let's say you watch four hours of TV a day. In a year, you could avoid emitting 10.8lbs of CO2. That's equal to driving a car more than 20 miles.

All new Sony TVs include a built-in digital terrestrial tuner. Many models also have a cable or satellite tuner, so there's no need for a separate set-top box.

teach your computer to save when using your pc, make energy saving a priority.

tip #1: manage your power effectively

Controlling your power efficiently can save you nearly a half ton of CO2 and about $50 a year in energy costs. So set up power-management on your machine. You can establish multiple power schemes to address the different ways you use your computer (e.g. you can create a scheme for playing music that shuts off your hard drive and monitor). To track your savings, use a power meter to monitor how much energy your computer actually consumes.

tip #2: get to know your monitor

Turn off your monitor when you're not using it. When you are, turn down the brightness setting. (on most laptops, the display is the single largest consumer of energy.) Skip the screen saver too. Studies show that they actually consume more energy than allowing the monitor to dim when not in use.

tip #3: close what your not using

Close unused applications, and turn off printers, scanners, speakers, etc. when your not using them. Avoid vampire power too – that's when devices leak electricity even though they're switched off. Plug your electronics into one power strip, and turn it off when you're done with your computer. When feasible, we also recommend unplugging the power strip from the wall to avoid high voltage surges that may occour during an electrical storm.

recycling old electronics for every pound of electronics we produce, we want to collect a pound.

join our take-back recycling program

Our take back Recycling Program offers nationwide recycling of Sony products and packaging. It was the first national recycling initiative to involve both a major electronics manufacturer and a national waste management company.

Since the inception in 2007, we've strived to create convenient ways for you to trade in or recycle your unwanted products, helping the planet in the process. The following tips will tell you how to get started.

learn more

Visit out Trade-in and Recycling site at www.sony.com/ecotrade.

tip #2: look for GreenFill e-recycle drop boxes

Look for GreenFill e-Recycle Drop Boxes at retail locations, and recycle small electronics while you shop. Once the containers are full, Sony will have them recycled.

Visit out Trade-in and Recycling site at www.sony.com/ecotrade.

tip #3: locate nationwide e-recycling drop-off centers

Bring any size of unwanted Sony-branded electronics to an e-Recycling drop-off center and recycle it for free.

Many states have passed recycling regulations covering specific types of electronic waste. We've incorporated these into our Take Back Recycling Program. Select a state below for more information on its particular requirements: CA, CT, HI, IL, IN, MD, ME, MN, MO, NC, NJ, NY, OK, OR, RI, SC, TX, VA, VT, WA, WI, WV.

Visit out Trade-in and Recycling site at www.sony.com/ecotrade.

Required State Reporting:
VA

tip #4: use our Green Glove™ in-home tv removal service

We'll remove your old TV and haul it away for free eco-friendly recycling when you select Premier In-hom Deleiver from Sony stores.

tip #5: check out our battery recycling program

In addition to our drop-off locations, we also make recycling your old rechargeable Sony batteries easy. Simply go to a Sony store near you and drop it off at the Sony drop box.

Visit out Trade-in and Recycling site at www.sony.com/ecotrade.

tip #6: trade up with our trade-in program

Do you have used electronics just taking up space in your house? EcoTrade from Sony happily accepts both eligible Sony and non-Sony products and lets you trade them in for credit towards the latest Sony has to offer.

learn more

Visit out Trade-in and Recycling site at www.sony.com/ecotrade.