Business News
Epson Toyocom Hits Goal of Achieving Zero Emissions Level 1 at 12 Main Global Sites
Wednesday 30. April 2008 - Epson Toyocom Corporation ("Epson Toyocom"), the leader in crystal devices, attained Zero Emissions Level 1(*1), or 100% recycling, at seven additional sites around the world by March 2008, thus bringing the total number of certified sites to twelve.
Since its creation by merger in October 2005, Epson Toyocom has sought to recycle 100% of the emissions generated by its business activities at its 12 main sites around the world, with the goal of achieving Zero Emissions Level 1 at each by the end of the 2007 fiscal year (ended March 31, 2008). The company has met its goal with the addition of these seven sites.
Epson Toyocom remains committed to practicing its management philosophy of being a trusted, “good company,” in part by accelerating its environmental efforts, reducing its total emissions, and working toward a higher level of recycling.
Sites that achieved Zero Emissions Level 1 in the 2007 fiscal year
Site Name
Location
Date Achieved
Odaka Plant Fukushima, Japan Jun. 2007
Miyazaki Plant Miyazaki, Japan Jul. 2007
Hobara Plant Fukushima, Japan Oct. 2007
Shonan Plant Kanagawa, Japan Mar. 2008
Epson Toyocom (Wuxi) Co., Ltd. Wuxi, China Jul. 2007
P.T. Epson Toyocom Indonesia Batam, Indonesia Mar. 2008
Epson Toyocom (Thailand) Ltd. Chachoengsao, Thailand Mar. 2008
Sites previously achieving Zero Emissions Level 1
Site Name
Location
Date Achieved
Head Office Tokyo, Japan Mar. 2002
Ina Plant Nagano, Japan Sep. 2001
Epson Toyocom Malasia Sdn. Bhd. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Mar. 2004
Epson Toyocom Suzhou Co., Ltd. Suzhou, China Jan. 2004
Epson Precision (Philippines) Inc. Cabuyao, Philippines Dec. 2003
Epson Precision (Philippines) Inc. earned certification in March 2001, but was recertified in December 2003, following its inclusion under the quartz device business.
The Head Office earned certification as the Hino Office of Seiko Epson Corporation.
Examples of specific activities
Miyazaki Plant
In August 2006, the Miyazaki Plant, in Miyazaki, Japan, expanded its production facilities to include a photolithographic process to accommodate increased production of crystal chips used in crystal units. Along with this expansion, Epson Toyocom installed a pioneering closed-loop water manufacturing and wastewater treatment system – the first large-scale system of its kind in Miyazaki – to treat effluent from the crystal chip cleaning process.
The closed-loop water manufacturing and wastewater treatment system removes impurities and chemicals from the cleaning effluent, producing purified water. This water is then reused so that wastewater is never released outside the system. Not only does the system mitigate the risk of discharge of chemicals and other pollutants, it reduces the total emissions of the Miyazaki Plant, thus contributing to the achievement of Zero Emissions Level 1.
The sole emission from the system is a sludge containing a polishing agent and crystal waste. The sludge is neutralized within the system and recycled as road surface material.
Epson Toyocom (Wuxi) Co., Ltd.
The Epson Toyocom Group has been deploying its environmental activities in cooperation with local governments. In Wuxi, China, Epson Toyocom explained its Zero Emissions program and other environmental efforts to Wuxi officials and enlisted their support in identifying recyclers and developing recycling infrastructure.
Internally, Epson Toyocom (Wuxi) has been raising the level of its programs across the company by providing all employees with the environmental training they need for their job and by testing them on what they’ve learned. In addition, the company has introduced an element of competition to environmental activities, and each month rewards the department that has carried out the best activities.
The result is that despite market growth, factory expansion, and an attendant rise in production volume, Epson Toyocom (Wuxi) has managed to actually reduce its total emissions.
The Wuxi city government recognized the company’s success in achieving Zero Emissions, its efforts to conserve energy, and its other environmental activities by presenting Epson Toyocom (Wuxi) President Hideo Shino with the city’s “2007 Outstanding President’s Award.”
Glossary
(*1) Zero Emissions Level 1
An independent certification system established by the Seiko Epson Group. A company must meet the following basic requirements to earn certification:
It recycles 100% of the emissions from its business activities.
Personal waste emissions are limited to 50g per day or less.
The company shows a cost savings associated with emissions processing.
Note that Zero Emissions Level 1 applies to materials defined by Epson and does not include atmospheric emissions.