OVERLAND PARK, Kan. -- Proving that it is easy to be environmentally friendly and save money, Sprint (NYSE: S) and LG Electronics MobileComm U.S.A., Inc. (LG Mobile Phones) today announced the upcoming availability of LG Remarq(TM), which meets Sprint eco-criteria and is the latest addition to Sprint's growing portfolio of eco-friendly devices. Sprint is the recognized wireless industry leader in delivering to consumers and business eco-friendly devices and recycling programs.
LG Remarq will be available on May 9 in all Sprint retail channels including www.sprint.com and 1-800-Sprint1 for FREE with a new two-year service agreement and after a $19.99 instant rebate and $50 mail-in rebate (taxes and surcharges excluded). Customers can pre-register for LG Remarq beginning today at www.sprint.com/remarq.
Sprint ranked highest among all U.S. telecom companies and #15 overall on Newsweek's Green Rankings, with a series of new environmental initiatives and green innovations. Sprint also scored highest among U.S. based wireless companies on the Carbon Disclosure Project's (CDP) 2009 Global 500 Report on carbon disclosure.
"LG Remarq gives the eco-minded consumer a way to stay connected with the people who matter most at an incredible price," said Kevin Packingham, Sprint senior vice president-Product Development. "Sprint continues to lead the U.S. wireless industry with our commitment to environmental initiatives and products."
LG Remarq is a chic messaging whiz with a full sliding QWERTY keyboard featuring a 1.3 MP camera, MP3 player with microSD card slot (supports up to 16GB), Stereo Bluetooth(R) wireless technology and instant messaging. Customers can stay connected to their friends and post their latest pics with easy access to Facebook(R) and Photobucket(R).
"Our research shows that consumers are passionate about making eco-friendly choices when purchasing their mobile phones," said Ehtisham Rabbani, corporate vice president, marketing and innovation for LG Mobile Phones. "We're continually finding new ways to weave recyclable alternatives throughout our product line-up, continuing to show our commitment to change."
Earth-friendly engineering
Available in either dark silver or turquoise, LG Remarq and its packaging are designed with environmentally responsible components including:
* The outer casing is made from 19 percent post-consumer recycled plastic and the handset as a whole is 87 percent recyclable. The device meets strict RoHS standards for restriction of hazardous materials such as lead, mercury and cadmium.
* Remarq contains low levels of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and brominated flame retardants (BFR): two materials commonly targeted on green electronics guidelines.
* Powered by an Energy Star-qualified charger which meets the energy-efficiency standards set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
* The packaging is fully recyclable packaging featuring a brown craft paper exterior and made from 87 percent post consumer material (PCM). The phone tray inside the box is made from 100 percent PCM. The images and text on the box, as well as all in-box materials, are printed with soy ink.
* The paper manual has been replaced with an online user manual that users can access beginning May 9.
In addition, LG Remarq comes pre-loaded with an innovative Eco Calculator application that allows customers to calculate C02 reduction savings by walking or cycling as opposed to driving their car. The reduction is calculated in pounds of C02 or trees planted.
Continuing Sprint's green leadership
Recently, Sprint CEO Dan Hesse announced that Sprint would be the first U.S. wireless carrier to establish a set of green design criteria for all future consumer devices that run on the Sprint network. The green design criteria and specifications support Sprint's product development vision, which is to provide devices and accessories for our customers that are:
* Free of environmentally sensitive materials
* Highly energy-efficient or even self-charging
* Made of sustainable materials
* Manufactured and packaged sustainably
* Interoperable, using a micro-USB interface, and
* Fully and easily recyclable
As an industry leader in the reuse and recycling of wireless devices, Sprint has an aggressive, industry-first goal of reaching a 90 percent phone collection rate for reuse/recycling compared with annual wireless device sales by 2017. Sprint's recently expanded Buyback program gives a financial incentive for current and new Sprint subscribers to trade in any eligible cell phone, regardless of manufacturer or carrier. Customers buying the LG Remarq receive a Sprint recycling envelope in every box, making it simple for them to recycle their old device and accessories responsibly.
Designed to boost U.S. wireless recycling rates, Sprint's Buyback program now offers an instant account credit to current and new Sprint subscribers who turn in up to three eligible wireless devices, per active line of service. Currently, more than 900 wireless devices are eligible for an instant account credit from Sprint. Device credits range in value from approximately $5 to more than $300, depending on the make and model of the device being turned in. To learn more about wireless recycling visit the Sprint wireless recycling Web site.
For just $49.99 per month, Sprint's affordable Everything Messaging 450 plan pairs nicely with LG Remarq to give unlimited text, picture messaging,unlimited night and weekend minutes starting at 7 p.m. and 450 anytime minutes (pricing excludes surcharges and taxes).
The Sprint Mobile Broadband Network (inclusive of data roaming) reaches more than 278 million people, 18,900 cities and 1,855 airports. The 3G Sprint Mobile Broadband Network (inclusive of data roaming) has more than twice the coverage of AT&T's current 3G network and more than 10 times the coverage of T-Mobile's current 3G network, both based on square miles1.
For more information on Sprint programs that protect the environment, go to www.sprint.com/green, or follow @SprintGreenNews on Twitter.
LG ecoMobilizationSM
LG Remarq joins the ranks of existing LG environmental initiatives and products that empower consumers to make eco-conscious choices including the company's ecoMobilizationSM program and the HFB-500 Bluetooth solar powered charging car kit.
In 2009, the company launched the ecoMobilizationSM program, which is dedicated to reducing the harmful effects of e-waste on the environment. LG ecoMobilizationSM offers easy-to-use tools such as a zero-waste mobile phone recycling program that enables people to take a hands-on approach to making a positive environmental impact. For example, LG created TXT 2 Recycle(TM). Participants simply text the word ECO to 95173, reply to the text with their mailing address, and pre-paid packaging will be delivered to their doorstep. The program also provides a collaborative forum to share ideas, inform on environmental issues and cultivate innovative alternatives.
LG's mission is to provide ordinary people with the tools and know-how they need to help make an Earth-friendly change on a broad scale. Since 2008, the company has been a member of the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Plug In To e-Cycling program that fosters and promotes opportunities for consumers to donate or safely recycle their used electronics. To date, LG Mobile Phones has recycled over 300,000 units of e-waste including accessories, batteries and handsets.
LG is committed to sustainability initiatives that inspire individuals to take action and make a difference. A shining example of this commitment is LG SkyCharger, the first mobile phone charging station powered solely by renewable energy in the U.S. To learn more about LG ecoMobilizationSM consumers can visit www.ecoMobilize.com.
About Sprint Nextel
Sprint Nextel offers a comprehensive range of wireless and wireline communications services bringing the freedom of mobility to consumers, businesses and government users. Sprint Nextel is widely recognized for developing, engineering and deploying innovative technologies, including two wireless networks serving more than 48 million customers at the end of the fourth quarter of 2009 and the first 4G service from a national carrier in the United States; industry-leading mobile data services; instant national and international push-to-talk capabilities; and a global Tier 1 Internet backbone. The company's customer-focused strategy has led to improved first call resolution and customer care satisfaction scores. For more information, visit www.sprint.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 84,000 people working in 115 operations including 84 subsidiaries around the world. With 2008 global sales of $44.7 billion, LG comprises of five business units - Home Entertainment, Mobile Communications, Home Appliance, Air Conditioning and Business Solutions. LG is one of the world's leading producers of flat panel TVs, audio and video products, mobile handsets, air conditioners and washing machines. LG has signed a long-term agreement to become both A Global Partner of Formula 1(TM) and A Technology Partner of Formula 1(TM). As part of this top-level association, LG acquires exclusive designations and marketing rights as the official consumer electronics, mobile phone and data processor of this global sporting event. For more information, please visit www.lge.com.
Labels: LG , Sprint
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