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March 28
News Release
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Epson Defines New Zero Emissions Standard
- TOKYO, Japan, March 28, 2005 -
Today, Epson clarified its definition of the Level 2 Zero Emissions activities that the company conducts with the purpose of maximizing resources and reducing waste.
Epson's Zero Emissions program is divided into two levels. Level 1 is defined as 100% recycling of waste resulting from business activities, while Level 2 aims to reduce the total volume of waste and to achieve more sophisticated recycling. All Epson sites worldwide managed to achieve Level 1 by the end of fiscal 2003, and while maintaining these standards, the same sites are now emphasizing programs that will enable them to achieve Level 2.
From the start of fiscal 2005, Epson plans to place special weight on Level 2 activities. In addition to establishing a firm definition, the company plans to set quantitative targets into the certification conditions.
Definition of Zero Emissions Level 2
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Efforts to conserve resources: Manufacture the greatest possible number of products from the smallest possible amount of resources
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More sophisticated recycling: Promote measures so that waste materials are reusable, and that materials used in products are recyclable or reusable
In the manufacturing stage, energy is often used to process resources that cannot be recycled and to create products. Epson will further reduce the input of unnecessary materials and minimize energy use to ensure that its manufacturing processes have the minimum burden on the environment. To achieve this, it will establish measures to reduce waste including increasing factory yield and implementing processes that use recycled materials.
Level 1 of Epson's Zero Emissions program determines that all waste materials should be recycled, but it is also necessary to raise the value of these recycled materials. A program to achieve Level 2 is therefore essential to reduce the burden on the environment and ensure more effective use of resources.
Weighting of various activities
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Examples |
Weighting |
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1.Reduce the amount of waste
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Seek to eliminate emissions of materials that cannot be reused
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- |
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2. Reusable materials
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Emit as reusable materials
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- |
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3. Internal reuse program
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Use unneeded materials from one plant (solvents, stationery, etc.) in another
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1 |
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4. Purchase and reuse of recycled waste materials
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Purchase and reuse of items made from Epson's waste materials (recycled solvents, paper, plastics, etc.)
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1 |
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5. Recycling outside the company
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Recycling of solvents, metals and paper
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0.5 |
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6. Reuse outside the company
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Reuse of office equipment and pallets, etc.
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0.5 |
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7. Others
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Conversion of sludge to cement materials or sludge, thermal recycling of crude oil, etc.
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0 |
Conditions for achieving Level 2 certification
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50% increase in revenue value for waste compared to fiscal 2002
In accordance with the above weighting, reuse of materials within the Group, the purchase of recycled materials,
and the reduction of materials circulating outside the Group will be accepted. The amount of waste materials will be
calculated as a total value using the following formula: Actual amount of waste – (amount of waste used in the
above measures x weighting)
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Maintain Zero Emissions Level 1
The new definition will serve as a boost to all Epson business sites as they seek to achieve their Zero Emissions Level 2 targets.
About Epson
The Epson Group increases its corporate value through its innovative and creative culture. Dedicated to providing its customers with digital image innovation, its main product lines comprise information-related equipment such as printers and projectors, electronic devices including displays, liquid crystal panels for projectors, semiconductors and quartz devices, and precision products such as watches. Epson products are known throughout the world for their superior quality, functionality, compactness and energy efficiency.
The Epson Group is a network of 84,899 employees in 110 companies around the world, and is proud of its ongoing contributions to the global environment and to the communities in which it is located. Led by the Japan-based Seiko Epson Corp., which is listed on the First Section of the Tokyo Stock Exchange, the Group had consolidated sales of 1,413 billion yen in fiscal 2003.
Contacts
Seiko Epson Corp.
Corporate Communications
Contact us by e-mail
http://www.epson.co.jp/
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