The efforts towards environmental conservation at the Kyoto Works are not limited to within the factory, but are also extended to local communities. Companies are members of society too. For this reason, we have to foster the connection to local communities through various environmental communications.
I heard the Kyoto Works invites children of the nearby Oyamazaki Elementary School for 'environmental lessons'.
Yes, Hitachi Maxell kindly responded to our request, and we appreciate these valuable opportunities very much.
We are co-operating in the expectation of helping to enlarge a circle of children who are conscious about the environment.
![[Image] Mr. Takahashi sent back original handwritten mail to 80 children! Environmental lessons aim to value the ideas and impressions of every child.](/environment/showcase/speco_factory/mx/images/img_02-01.gif)
![[Image] Environmental lessons](/environment/showcase/speco_factory/mx/images/img_02-02.jpg)
I realized the good effect of your environmental lessons when I heard the children say 'My notebook is made of 100% recycled paper', or 'I went to Ten'nozan to collect garbage'.
I'm glad to hear that. In our environmental lessons, we are trying to tell children what they can do in school and at home to protect the natural environment and use limited resources with consideration.
![[Image] Talking to the visitor](/environment/showcase/speco_factory/mx/images/img_02-03.jpg)
These environmental lessons really gave me a good chance to think of environmental issues. I must tell you that today's guide, Mr. Takahashi, wrote back to all the children who participated in the lessons and made reports about their experience. I was struck by his efforts.
Thank you. I myself learned valuable lessons from the children and through the environmental lessons, finding new perspectives. I wrote back to every child because I wanted to convey my thanks to each of them.
As a corporation, you have supported the 'Hana Ippai Undo' (The Flowers Galore Campaign) organized by the Oyamazaki Hometown Re-Creation Council.
![[Image] Hana Ippai Undo (Flowers Galore Campaign)
In action since 2001! Eco-minded ties with local communities by expanding the circle of people involved in flower planting.](/environment/showcase/speco_factory/mx/images/img_02-04.gif)
It began with our proposal to the Oyamazaki town council for the effective use of pruned branches and fallen leaves in our premises as compost. Now we join the local residents to plant flowers around the town, including at the railway station. We also co-operate with them to water the flowers and take daily care of them, which has contributed to establishing valuable communication with the townspeople.
![[Image] The grown flowers decorating the train station surrounding area](/environment/showcase/speco_factory/mx/images/img_02-05.jpg)
![[Image] Hana Ippai Undo (Flowers Galore Campaign)](/environment/showcase/speco_factory/mx/images/img_02-06.jpg)
I am doing my seminar research on the approaches taken by local communities to promote their cultures and hometown movements. I think the 'Hana Ippai Undo' of Oyamazaki is a good example of successful co-operation by local residents and a company in the same community.
These activities cost time and money for a company. The whole society needs to understand the environmental issues.
Continuing in these activities to protect the environment is as important as raising children. I believe people support Maxell products thanks to our continuing to make down-to-earth efforts in co-operation with communities.
![[Image] Talking to the visitor](/environment/showcase/speco_factory/mx/images/img_02-07.jpg)
![[Image] Mr. Takahashi holds the paper containing the messages from local children.](/environment/showcase/speco_factory/mx/images/img_02-08.jpg)
Mr. Takahashi holds the paper containing the messages from local children.
Because of these activities, the Kyoto Works received the 'Kyoto Environment Top Runner' Award from Kyoto Prefecture.
I heard you also received a 'Meister' (environmental three stars) certificate for the global warming prevention category and an 'Advance' (environmental two stars) certificate for the recycling-based society category, both in the framework of the 'Eco Kyoto 21' that is organized by the Kyoto prefectural government.
![[Image] Environmental Three Stars 'Meister' The site was certified by Kyoto Environment Top Runner and Eco Kyoto 21!](/environment/showcase/speco_factory/mx/images/img_02-09.gif)
![[Image] Multiple certificates and awards](/environment/showcase/speco_factory/mx/images/img_02-10.jpg)
Yes, we were one of only two companies certified with a 'Meister' in the initial year of the awards (2004). It is extremely honorable.
I heard you are quite confident in sorting waste.
All of us in this factory sort waste completely in order to reduce the amount of landfill and effectively use resources. We achieved zero emissions* in 2001, and have kept this up ever since. Why don't you give waste sorting a go to see if you can do it properly?
*The final disposal amount is below 5 tons per year and its ratio to the total discharge is below 1%.
![[Image] Hands-on garbage separation](/environment/showcase/speco_factory/mx/images/img_02-11.jpg)
Oh, it's more difficult than I thought. Is this plastic? Is that metal? Even with all of us thinking together, we still sometimes can't tell the waste category of some of these things.
I will ask Mr. Tsujino to give you the correct answers. He is responsible for managing waste, and respected as the 'Doctor of Sorting' in this factory.
![[Image] Recycling Rate is 99.8%.
Zero emissions have been achieved by the complete sorting of waste!](/environment/showcase/speco_factory/mx/images/img_02-12.gif)
![[Image] Mr. Kazutoshi Tsujino of the Environment Promotion Group shows how to sort waste.](/environment/showcase/speco_factory/mx/images/img_02-13.jpg)
Mr. Kazutoshi Tsujino of the Environment Promotion Group shows how to sort waste.
You are quite good at sorting. The first thing in sorting is to divide waste into two groups, the 'recyclable' and the 'disposable'. Then we disassemble the 'composite' waste composed of metallic and plastic materials, such as videotapes, and sort them into the relevant types.
![[Image] A long line of garbage bins for comprehensive garbage separation](/environment/showcase/speco_factory/mx/images/img_02-14.jpg)
Even recyclable bottles and plastics are classified as disposable if they contain indistinct materials.
Are envelopes for mail classified as disposable if plastic adhesive tape is attached?
Yes, they are. Sorting by materials is the fundamental requirement for recycling.
Compared with what is done in this factory, sorting in my town is much easier. We only need to sort 'bottles', 'cans', 'PET bottles', 'domestic garbage', and 'small metallic items'.
It would be nice if every household can sort as we do here, but this is, first and foremost, our way of sorting. Zero emissions can be achieved only when we recycle as much materials as possible.
Companies need to work hard, even in sorting waste !
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