INTELLIGENT BRANDS // Green Technology

Epson has published its Green

Choice sustainability report . The 48 – page non-financial report provides comprehensive details of the sustainability and CSR measures actioned by Epson across its entire EMEA operations . During 2020 Epson has made significant progress in aligning its business activities to the United Nation ’ s Sustainable Development Goals ( SDGs ), a commitment it made following the 2016 Paris Accord and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change ( UNFCCC ).

According to the company , significant highlights of the report include :

• Epson achieving an EcoVadis Platinum rating for sustainability , which means that the company meets the highest standards for human rights , labour conditions , environment , ethics and sustainable procurement . This achievement places Epson in the top 1 % of companies in its industry .

• Green House Gas emissions per employee reduced by 8.56 %.

• Scope one and two emissions have reduced by 18 % ( equivalent to 485,753 tonnes of carbon dioxide ).

• Epson recycled 23,700 tonnes of material including batteries , paper , wood , plastic and waste electrical equipment .

• Epson is now using 100 % renewable energy in all its owned buildings .

• Epson has saved a potential 1.1 million tonnes of plastic-based consumables through the sale of over 50 million cartridge-free EcoTank printers .

• Epson engaged with over 11,000 students of all ages as part of its ‘ New Horizons ’ programme , introducing young people to sustainable technology and inspiring them to achieve their career goals .

• Epson signed up as technology partner to the United Nation ’ s Smart Sustainable Cities implementation programme , aimed at utilising technology to achieve Sustainable Development Goals ( SDGs ) in cities around the world .

Kazuyoshi Yamamoto , President of Epson Europe , added that : “ Epson ’ s Green Choice report provides our customers with the assurance that we are taking all available measures to achieve sustainability across our entire European operations . Sustainability is in our DNA as it runs through everything we do . It is about constantly addressing and improving every aspect of our global footprint , from our manufacturing and distribution to use of resources and behaviours of our people .

“ Working with our customers is my passion , understanding their needs and listening to what they say is essential as we continually work to improve what we offer . The Green

Choice report is about providing our customers with the guarantee that Epson is completely serious about sustainability and the future of our planet . Each and every one of us can make a green choice . Together , as we face the challenges in this ‘ new normal ’, we must all work even harder to make the right choices and create a more sustainable future for our people and planet .”

Henning Ohlsson , CSR and Sustainability Director , Epson Europe , said : “ Our Green

Choice report is about making the right choice for our future . The demand for greener products and services has never been stronger and this is especially true of the younger generations that are looking ahead with genuine concern and alarm .

“ Their passion for sustainability is forcing companies to make changes and this is a good thing . Brands that don ’ t share their values or fail to demonstrate their same sense of urgency have no long-term future .

“ Epson is fully committed to the SDGs . They are integrated into our mid and long-term plans and are guiding us as a compass for our business and are setting the direction for all our sustainability actions . Our Green Choice report shows precisely and transparently how we are continuing to deliver on our commitment to a sustainable long-term future .

“ We still have much more to do . Both as a business and as individuals , we need to show that we are committed , accountable and transparent . At Epson we are dedicated to ethical leadership and good governance through value-based strategies and positive actions for a sustainable business in a better world .” p

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