KATO, JAPAN - JULY 02: Workers dismantle washing machines, prior to recycling at the Panasonic Eco Technology Center (PETEC) on July 2, 2009 in Kato, Hyogo, Japan. In 2001, Japan enforced the Home Appliance Recycling Law (HARL), which calls for end-of-life home appliances to be recycled through the cooperation of consumers, retailers, and manufacturers. At the Panasonic Eco Technology Recycling Facility Centre, approximately 700,000 home appliances such as televisions, air conditioners, washing machines and refrigerators are dismantled each year and 90% of these products are recycled.