Appliance Company Electrolux Receives Two CSR Honours

Major appliances corporation Electrolux, which sells more than 40 million products in more than 150 markets annually, has been given two honours, a place on Ethisphere Institute's 2011 World's Most Ethical Companies list and Energy Star Partner of the Year award for product manufacturer.

The company, formed in Sweden in the early 1900s, manufactures refrigerators, dishwashers, washing machines, vacuum cleaners, cookers and air-conditioners sold under brands such as Electrolux, AEG, Eureka and Frigidaire.

Ethisphere Institute selected Electrolux as one of the 110 companies in 38 industries that implement business practices and initiatives that are not only instrumental to its success, but benefit the community and raise the bar for ethical standards within its industry.

"Sustainability is an integral part of the Electrolux business strategy, and this award further distinguishes us as an industry leader," Henrik Sundström, Electrolux's vice-president, group sustainability affairs, said in a press statement.

In addition to its Energy Star-qualified products, as part of its sustainability strategy, the company has committed that by 2012, its factories, offices and warehouses will use 28 per cent less energy than in 2005. The company achieved a 25 per cent reduction from 2005 to 2010, and has also set ambition targets related to water usage and transportation emissions reduction globally. 

In Canada, Electrolux is also committed to corporate social responsibility and supporting worthwhile charities. To date, it has donated $200,000 to Ovarian Cancer Canada, along with planting a Garden of Hope at its Mississauga, Ontario office, and participating in its annual Walk of Hope fundraiser. In 2010, Frigidaire donated $100,000 to Save the Children Canada, and is working on raising an additional $100,000 in 2011. 

Ethisphere Institute is a think-tank dedicated to the creation, advancement and sharing of best practices in business ethics, corporate social responsibility, anti-corruption and sustainability. This is the fifth year Ethisphere Institute publishes the World's Most Ethical rankings.

Electrolux Major Appliances North America has also been named Energy Star Partner of the Year for product manufacturer, by The U.S. Department of Energy and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Award winners are selected from more than 20,000 organizations that participate in the Energy Star program.

Energy Star was introduced by EPA in 1992 as a voluntary, market-based partnership to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and other pollutants associated with energy use. The Energy Star label can now be found on more than 60 kinds of products, as well as new homes and buildings. The award recognized Electrolux Major Appliances (encompassing the Electrolux, Electrolux Icon and Frigidaire brands) for delivery of environmentally conscious Energy Star-qualified appliances and helping to educate consumers about the Energy Star program. Energy Star is also in Canada, but the organization hasn't announced winners of its 2011 awards yet. 

Electrolux was also recognized as a leader in the Durable Household Products category in the most recent Dow Jones Sustainability World Index.

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