Kyocera is an environmentally concerned global organisation who rigorously follow the principles of the three R's - reduce, reuse and recycle.

The importance of having respect for, and conserving our environment has been etched in Kyocera's ethos from inception. Our worldwide green policies encourage conservation and recycling, along with the development of products and technologies that can actually minimise the impact on the environment.

Kyocera clarified its intent to deal with global environmental problems in 1991 by establishing the Kyocera Environmental Charter as an extension of our management rationale -- to "contribute to the advancement of society and humankind." Under this Charter, Kyocera eagerly commits to environmental preservation activities on a daily basis.

Achievements by Kyocera from a sustainable point of view

Kyocera is a member of the New Zealand Packaging Accord and uses foam free packaging constructed from biodegradable cardboard. The inks are produced from vegetable and soy dyes and have absolutely no impact on the environment, when recycled.

Kyocera has achieved ISO 14001 accreditation in New Zealand and throughout most of the world. All Kyocera printers & MFD's are developed and manufactured in ISO 14001 certified facilities. This is the international standard for environmental management systems. This highlights Kyocera's commitment to considering the environmental consequences of all processes and business practices in Australia, New Zealand, and internationally.

ECOSYS - Developing products that are kind to the environment - while still being highly economical to run - was the fundamental thinking behind the development of Kyocera's ECOSYS technology. Kyocera introduced the cartridge-free ECOSYS printer concept in 1992 as a means of redacting Total Cost of Ownership while improving the printer's environmental impact.

KyoCollect is Kyocera's take back program which means a 100% zero-waste-to-landfill outcome for the disposal of a customer's Kyocera print consumables and re-manufacturing of wastes. What this means for the customer is their consumables for printers and copiers are collected and recycled easily.

Kyocera complies with RoHS(reduction of hazardous substances)meaning that it does not use certain hazardous substances in the manufacturing of electrical and electronic equipment. Kyocera ensures new electrical and electronic equipment contains no more than agreed levels of lead, cadmium, mercury, hexavalent chromium, polybrominated biphenyl(PBB) and polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) flame retardants.

Future Kyocera plans in sustainability

Kyocera will continue to develop products which are economical to run as well as kind to the environment. We believe strongly in the concept of product stewardship and the need for manufacturers to take responsibility for a product at the end of its life. E-waste is a growing problem world wide and Kyocera want to see effective procedures in place to eliminate this problem and the legacy it is creating for future generations. Kyocera works closely with Clean Up Australia to this end and recently participated in an E-Waste think tank run by the Canberra Environment and Sustainability Resource Centre to establish a strategy on E-Waste in Australia and beyond.

Why Kyocera have got behind the SBN Awards

Kyocera is keen to work with other organisations and companies who share a similar philosophy and passion for the environment, as well as Kyocera's commitment to sustainable practices and the desire for this to spread to more industry and organisations in NZ and around the world.