Environmental Communication | Canon's Communication Activities Concept
Canon takes every opportunity and uses a variety of media to present environmental information to stakeholders through constructive, two-way communication activities.
We will continue our energetic drive to develop activities that contribute to building a society in which people live and work in harmony.
Major Environmental Communication Activities
- Contributing to the Environmental Education Books Fund
- Providing visiting style educational progam for regional elementary schools
- Running environmental advertisements in such media as newspapers, magazines, TV, and radio
- Holding lectures on environmental themes
- Implementing measures for international standardization to link companies throughout the industry
- Using the internet for our environmental communications
- Developing the GREEN NAVI Website for environmentally conscious product use
- Posting a dedicated environmental contact link on our website
- Providing environmental information about products and services in catalogues and on packaging
- Introducing our environmental facilities through such activities as open house events (plant visits) and environmental activities presentations
- Partnering with community residents and environmental NGOs
- Tree-planting efforts overseas
GREEN NAVI
Worldwide Tree-Planting Programs
In line with our corporate philosophy of kyosei, Canon contributes to global warming prevention and biodiversity preservation by conducting tree-planting programs at various locations around the world. These programs also help create broader awareness of the importance of environmental conservation.
One example of this effort is Canon China's "Green Pioneer" tree-planting campaign launched in 2008. From March to May 2011, Canon China engaged in tree planting at 14 locations, including Beijing, Tianjin, Qingdao, and Guangzhou. A total of 1,987 participants, from various locations, including employee volunteers, dealers, suppliers, and their families, took part in this effort.
Also, Canon Marketing (Taiwan) Co., Ltd. (CMTW) supported the Million Trees Project, a tree-planting activity organized by the municipal government of Taipei and the non-profit organization Himalaya Foundation. CMTW donated 1,000 native saplings at the tree-planting event held in April 2011, with CMTW employees also taking part as volunteers. Canon also provided business support by offering cameras and printing services so participants could be presented with "tree-planting certificates."
Another tree-planting effort is Canon Vietnam's ongoing forest restoration activities since 2010 as part of the company's "For a Green Vietnam" social-contribution project. Tree planting was carried out at two locations in March 2012. Approximately 670 volunteers, including Canon Vietnam employees, local government officials, and teachers and students from local high schools took part in restoring approximately 40 hectares of forest.
In North America, Océ North America joined in a partnership with Trees for the Future to launch the Océ Eco Start Carbon Offset Program. The centerpiece of the Océ Eco Start Program is the Eco-calculator that predicts the carbon emissions of any Océ production printing system and calculates the number of trees that must be planted to offset its emissions. Furthermore, Canon USA is developing a joint project with the non-profit organization Arbor Day Foundation for tree planting in conjunction with the purchase and registration of certain products within its Generation Green program.
Employees and their families participating in tree planting (China)
Canon booth offering commemorative photo print services (Taiwan)
High school students planting trees (Vietnam)
Teaching Elementary School Students about Toner Cartridge Recycling Through School Visit Program
As part of our educational efforts to teach children about the importance of the environment, Canon Inc. has been offering school visit programs for elementary students that are planned and conducted by our employees.
In October 2011, we created lessons designed to teach children about the importance of reducing trash and replenishing resources by introducing them to Canon's toner cartridge recycling program. After receiving an introduction from the Board of Education in the Ota district of Tokyo, where our Shimomaruko Headquarters is located, our employee-instructors conducted two classes for fourth-graders at the Yaguchi Higashi Elementary School, a public school in the district. The classes received high marks from teachers and students for using interesting techniques, such as photographs, animation and hands-on practice, to demonstrate the separation work necessary for recycling.
We have been asked to continue offering these lessons, and we plan to enhance the lesson content as well as to expand the program to include other schools in our community.
A lesson in action
Canon Ecology Industry Sponsors Social Studies Field Trips for Local Elementary School Students
Canon Ecology Industry, Inc. (CEII) was launched in 2004 with the goal of "maximizing resource efficiency" as declared in our Environmental Charter, with reuse and recycle as the twin pillars of its business.
Out of a desire to support the environmental education of children, who are our future, CEII welcomes the social studies field trips that are part of the fourth-grade curriculum of schools in the surrounding community of Bando City, Ibaraki Prefecture. Through field trips to CEII, students learn about the importance of environmental conservation and how to reuse and recycle.
Between October and December 2011, the program's inaugural year, these field trips were held for students from four schools. On the day of the field trip, students were shown a video introducing them to the company, and then were treated to a variety of activities, including generating electricity using an aerobike, breaking down a printer and separating the parts, as well as a tour of the plant.
The students expressed enthusiasm about their experience, making such comments as "From now on I will treat items with more care," and "When I grow up I'd like to join CEII." The teachers also gave the program high marks, noting for example the significance of the program content in terms of career education.
In recognition of the company's efforts, in February 2012, CEII was registered by the Ibaraki Education Council as a "Company Promoting Ibaraki Education Day." CEII will continue to contribute to environmental education through such efforts to establish close ties with the community.
Children on a tour of the plant
Breaking down a printer and separating the parts
Generating electricity with an aerobike
