Toshiba 1997 Annual Report Download - page 22

20.
Topics
At Toshiba, preserving the global environment for
future generations is a fundamental responsibility for
everyone. In line with this commitment, the com-
pany conducts a broad range of environmental
activities. In May 1996, Toshiba announced a volun-
tary plan that included 12 additional targets. Based
on this plan, the company is conducting many pro-
grams, including the development of environmentally
compatible products and the acquisition of interna-
tional certifications. A rigorous assessment system
examines how individual products—from home
appliances to power generation systems—contribute to
such goals as conserving resources, promoting recy-
cling and reducing energy consumption.
In February 1997, two Toshiba products received
the Commendation of 21st Century Type Energy-
Conserving Apparatuses and Systems from the
Energy Conservation Center, an organization
associated with Japan’s Ministry of International
Trade and Industry. Air conditioners were recog-
nized for the fourth consecutive year, while
Toshiba’s mininotebook computers were chosen for
the first time. The commendation is given to con-
sumer products that are outstanding with regard to
energy and resource conservation. This achievement
is clear evidence of the effectiveness of Toshiba’s
environmental programs. Additionally, the low
power consumption of Toshiba’s PCs earns them
the right to bear the International Energy Star.
Toshiba regards the acquisition of ISO-14001
certification as an essential condition for earning a
place among the world’s most environmentally
responsible corporations. This certification is
structured to promote sustainable economic devel-
opment and a just apportionment of responsibilities
among the nations of the world. The certification
process demands that companies maintain a system
to evaluate the environmental impact of their
operations and products, and to make constant
improvements. Already, 17 of Toshiba’s 21 major
production facilities in Japan have received this
certification, and the remaining four are in the final
stages of this process. Subsidiaries in Japan and
overseas plan to earn this certification at all of their
facilities as soon as possible, further raising
Toshiba’s profile in environmental activities.
Environmental
Activities
All products from fiscal 1993
Target: 30% reduction by fiscal 2000 vs. fiscal 1995 for
consumer products and information equipment
Target: 10% reduction by fiscal 2000 vs. fiscal 1995 for
information equipment and control devices
Target: 10% reduction by fiscal 2000 vs. fiscal 1995 for
consumer products and information equipment
Target: 30% reduction by fiscal 2000 vs. fiscal 1995 for all
industrial-use products
Target: 50% reduction by fiscal 1997 vs. fiscal 1992 for
consumer products and information equipment
Target: 50% reduction by fiscal 2000 vs. fiscal 1995 for all
products
Target: 75% reduction by fiscal 2000 vs. fiscal 1990 at all
production and research facilities
Target: 30% reduction by fiscal 2000 vs. fiscal 1990 at all
production and research facilities
Target: all production and research facilities by the end of
fiscal 1997
Established a vision in fiscal 1996 for consumer products
and electronic devices, now being implemented
Targets: 33% reduction by fiscal 1997 vs. fiscal 1994 per unit
produced and 50% reduction by fiscal 2000 vs. fiscal 1994
per unit produced at all semiconductor production facilities
Implementation of product assessments
Reduce use of parts and materials that are
difficult to recycle
Reduce weight per product function
Reduce electricity consumed per product
function
Reduce weight of product packaging
Reduce time needed to disassemble
products
Reduce use of styrene foam packaging
Reduce generation of discarded materials
vs. sales
Reduce energy consumption vs. sales
Acquire ISO-14001 certification
Establish and implement environmental
vision
Reduce utilization of hazardous chemicals
Voluntary Plan