Product packaging and distribution is another stage of product development where TI works to reduce environmental impact and maintain compliance with international regulations – from reducing waste packaging to properly labeling our products.

Accurate product labeling and responsible packaging are critical for timely distribution to customers, but are also opportunities in the product distribution process to reduce environmental impact. Although we don't currently track greenhouse gas emissions related to global product shipments, we do systematically review the packing material used to transport semiconductor chips between our manufacturing locations and our customers.

During the past decade, TI has significantly reduced the amount of packing materials, which has resulted in lower shipping weights, shipping costs and fuel consumption as well as reduced waste. We've accomplished this by:

• Identifying our products consistently throughout the sales process, from order entry to package labeling, to ensure that all TI products meet international shipping standards.
• Shipping Pb-free products using packing labels that meet standards set by the Joint Electronic Device Engineering Council.
• Providing the necessary information for compliance with the new China RoHS requirements when applicable.
• Using a chasing arrow symbol on product labels (as of 2007) to clarify for customers whether it contains RoHS materials above the maximum concentrations value.
• Shipping DLP® chip products to customers in non-toxic, reusable plastic packages. These are reused continuously until the end of their useful life and eventually recycled.
• Using the Multipak reusable packing system, primarily in Japan. After receiving an order, the customer returns the entire package (box and shipping materials) to a third party, which certifies the packing for reuse. With Multipak, we are able to reuse 100 percent of the shipping container and internal packing materials. If the materials do not pass inspection, they are recycled.
• Reusing our own packaging materials whenever possible.

In 2008, TI will evaluate whether alternative greener packaging can be used for Education Technology products, while still protecting the products during transportation and in retail stores, and will begin using eco-labeling on our European product shipments.