Epson 2008 Annual Report Download - page 18

32 Seiko Epson Corporation
33Annual Report 2008
Environmental and Corporate Citizenship Programs
Environmental Philosophy and
Policies
Epson, which was established in the rich natural
surroundings of Lake Suwa, in Nagano Prefecture,
Japan, has since its founding believed in minimizing the
burden of its business activities on the environment.
This remains true today, when Epsons business reaches
across the globe. Recognizing that business activities
impact the global environment, the Company conducts
environmental programs under uniform standards and
goals in every country and region of the world. Epsons
basic approach to environmental affairs is made explicit
in its Environmental Philosophy and Policies. Epson will
continue to practice environmental management with
the goals of achieving both its environmental and
economic objectives, and helping to create a sustainable
society.
Product Lifecycle and
the Environment
To bring both environmental and economic benefits,
Epson must reduce environmental impacts in every
stage across the lifecycle of its products, not only in
manufacturing, but also in parts and materials
procurement, product transport, during use, collection
and recycling. Under its Action 2010 General
Environmental Policy the Company established three
main areas to pursue its environmental actions: global
warming prevention, resource recycling and
conservation, and chemical substance management.
Global warming prevention
To contribute to the prevention of global warming, Epson
has set in place policies aimed at becoming number
one in the industry in the reduction of global warming
emissions. Epsons focus is not only on the energy
performance of its products but on measures to reduce
emissions in manufacturing and transport.
Resource recycling and conservation
From the product design stage, Epson is working to
make it easier to save resources and recycle. Through
broad-based measures that include reducing waste
through the effective use of resources and process
improvements as well as cutting back on the volume of
packing material that it uses, Epson is contributing to
the creation of a recycling-based society.
Chemical substance management
Epson is also promoting the reduction of chemical
substances found in products and in the volume of
chemicals used in manufacturing. Efforts are also being
made to create operational structures and
management systems capable of supporting the
programs needed to achieve these measures.
Epson also contributes to society as a whole by actively
engaging the communities in which it operates, making
information available to the public, and sharing
environmental technology and know-how with non-
Epson parties. The Company intends to continue to do
its part in helping to maintain and improve the
environment so that it may leave it in good shape for
future generations.
Basic Policy on Corporate
Citizenship
Epson established a Corporate Citizenship Philosophy
in 2004 based on its desire to develop in harmony with
communities and help build a better society as a socially
progressive company. The Corporate Citizenship Policy,
created at the same time, sets forth five areas of priority
in which Epson is proactively involved. Epsons corporate
citizenship focuses on giving back its technological
expertise through activities rooted in the countries and
regions in which it operates. In fiscal 2008, the Company
will augment its ongoing efforts by increasing employee
involvement in volunteer activities to strengthen ties to
the community. Corporate citizenship expenditures
in fiscal 2007 totaled nearly ¥700 million. As a good
corporate citizen, Epson will continue to contribute to
the creation of a better society through a wide range of
supporting programs.
Examples of Contributions to
Society and the Environment
Tree planting in Kalimantan
Since 2000, Epson has been cooperating in a tree-planting
project in Kalimantan, Indonesia. In this agroforestry
project, rubber trees and fruit trees are planted alongside
rice, corn and other cereal crops. In addition to harvesting
the cereals, workers are paid to maintain the trees, thereby
ensuring the sustainability of the forest.
In November 2007, this project was recognized for
its long-standing contribution, and the manager of the
local forestry cooperative received an award from the
president of Indonesia.
Graduation ceremony at in-company school
At Epson de Juarez, S.A. de C.V., an Epson subsidiary
in Juarez, Mexico, as part of an employee education
program, a school has been established within the
company where students can receive elementary
through junior and senior high school education.
Because of disparities in Mexicos educational
infrastructure, inequities exist between individual
educational levels. To help compensate for this, Epson
invites outside teachers to teach classes at the company
school. In the fiscal year ended March 31, 2008, three
employees completed elementary school and 24
passed high school equivalency exams and were
awarded diplomas by the Department of Education of
the State of Chihuahua, which holds jurisdiction over
Juarez. Thus far, 262 students, including the
aforementioned graduates, have completed the
education program and 124 students are currently
working and studying diligently toward graduation.
Environmental Philosophy
(Established in October 1994, amended in June 1999)
Epson will integrate environmental considerations
into its corporate activities and take steps to
achieve high conservation standards in fulfilling its
responsibilities as a good corporate citizen.
Environmental Policies
The following policies have been established under
Epsons Environmental Philosophy and command
full employee participation.
1. Create and provide Earth-friendly products
2. Transform all processes to reduce the environ-
mental impact
3. Recover and recycle used products
4. Share environmental information and contribute
to regional and international conservation efforts
5. Continually improve environmental management
systems
Other* 7%
Epson’s Expenditure on Corporate Citizenship
Adolescent education
and training
19%
Culture and the arts
45%
* Including natural disaster assistance activities
Community events
7%
Environmental conservation
8%
Social welfare and
support for the needy
14%
Refer to the Epson Group Sustainability Report
2008 for more information regarding Epsons
environmental and social contributions.
http://www.epson.co.jp/e/community/sr
Regular maintenance takes place after tree planting
Graduation ceremony
Five Key Citizenship Activities
• Adolescent education and training
• Culture and the arts
• Community events
• Environmental conservation
• Public welfare and support for the needy