LG Electronics Named 2012 ENERGY STAR® Partner of the Year

WASHINGTON, March 1, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- LG Electronics has been named 2012 ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The EPA is honoring LG, a global technology leader in consumer electronics and home appliances, for its outstanding contributions to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by manufacturing energy-efficient products and helping to educate consumers about those products.

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A long-time ENERGY STAR partner, LG Electronics increased its U.S. sales of products that earn the ENERGY STAR label, the government-backed symbol of energy efficiency, by nearly 30 percent in 2011. LG's accomplishments will be recognized at the EPA's awards ceremony in Washington, D.C. on March 15, marking the 20th anniversary of ENERGY STAR.

"As we celebrate the 20th anniversary of the ENERGY STAR program, EPA is proud to recognize LG Electronics with the 2012 ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year–Product Manufacturer Award," said EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson. "LG and all our ENERGY STAR award winners truly demonstrate how the leadership and commitment from EPA's partners has made a difference in the lives of Americans since 1992 saving them billions of dollars in energy costs and improving the health of our families, the planet and our future."

As a company that thrives on innovation, LG is committed to enhancing consumers' lives and improving the environment through energy efficiency advancement as well as green management practices and policies. Efforts in support of ENERGY STAR included creative programs designed to change consumer behaviors, activities driving increased sales of ENERGY STAR-qualified products, enhanced employee and sales training and technology leadership.

"LG enacted a company-wide effort to put environmental stewardship into the core of its business principles," said Wayne Park, president and CEO of LG Electronics USA. "We are dedicated to achieving ENERGY STAR ratings on more products, further increasing sales of ENERGY STAR products, continuing to expand sales training and employee engagement programs, and aggressively promoting the benefits of the ENERGY STAR brand to consumers."

Underscoring its commitment to the ENERGY STAR program, LG Electronics embarked on nationwide public education and community outreach campaigns, helping empower consumers to make informed choices about their electronics and appliance purchases. Throughout 2011, LG's efforts resulted in billions of impressions through co-marketing and cooperative promotions to support the ENERGY STAR message. 

Efforts included reaching millions of consumers with onsite ENERGY STAR promotions in conjunction with LG's corporate partnership with the NCAA® and community outreach programs like the multi-city LG-Good Housekeeping "Greener Living" Tour, which promoted ENERGY STAR products and the "Change the World, Start with ENERGY STAR" Pledge. Along with Keep America Beautiful and Waste Management, LG collected more than 10 million pounds of unused and unwanted electronics products for responsible recycling in 2011, while encouraging consumers to replace recycled electronics with ENERGY STAR-qualified LG products.

LG also fully embraced the new, rigorous guidelines set by the ENERGY STAR Most Efficient program, designed to advance energy efficiency by awarding the designation to the top five percent of products in specific categories. Fifteen LG home electronics and appliance products earned this coveted designation in 2011, more than any other manufacturer.

Park explained that LG continues to promote energy efficiency of all kinds throughout its business. In November, the company announced a goal to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions in the U.S. by 50 percent by the end of 2020. As part of these efforts, LG purchases 100 percent green energy for its U.S. headquarters in Englewood Cliffs, N.J.

The 2012 Partner of the Year Awards are given to manufacturers and retailers that successfully promote and deliver ENERGY STAR qualified products, saving consumers money and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. LG and other honorees were selected from about 20,000 organizations that participate in the ENERGY STAR program. Over the past 20 years, American families and businesses have saved nearly $230 billion on utility bills and prevented greenhouse gas emissions equal to those from more than 350 million vehicles with help from ENERGY STAR.

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 and technology leader in consumer electronics, home appliances and mobile communications. In the United States, LG Electronics sells a range of stylish and innovative home appliances, home entertainment products, mobile phones, commercial displays, air conditioning systems and solar energy solutions, all under LG's "Life's Good" marketing theme. For more information, please visit www.lg.com.

About LG Electronics Inc.

LG Electronics Inc. (KSE: 066570.KS) is a global leader and technology innovator in consumer electronics, mobile communications and home appliances, employing more than 93,000 people working in over 120 operations around the world. With 2011 global sales of KRW 54.26 trillion (USD 48.97 billion), LG comprises four business units – Home Entertainment, Mobile Communications, Home Appliance, and Air Conditioning & Energy Solutions. LG is one of the world's leading producers of flat panel TVs, mobile devices, air conditioners, washing machines and refrigerators.

About ENERGY STAR

ENERGY STAR was introduced by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in 1992 as a voluntary market-based partnership to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through increased energy efficiency. Now celebrating its 20^th anniversary, ENERGY STAR offers businesses and consumers energy-efficient solutions to save energy, money and help protect the environment for future generations. About 20,000 organizations are ENERGY STAR partners committed to improving the energy efficiency of products, homes, buildings and businesses. For more information about ENERGY STAR, visit www.energystar.gov or call toll-free 1-888-STAR-YES (1-888-782-7937).

SOURCE LG Electronics USA, Inc.