Sony 1998 Annual Report Download - page 38

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[36] Sony Corporation Annual Report 1998
Europe
10 sites
Asia (outside Japan)
15 sites; efforts under
way at 5 sites Japan
36 sites; efforts under
way at 2 sites
North and Latin America
11 sites; efforts under way
at 5 sites
Worldwide
72 sites; efforts under way at 12 sites
(As of March 31, 1998)
[ Environmental Activities at Sony ]
Recognizing that environmental protection is one of the most pressing issues facing mankind
today, Sony incorporates a sound respect for nature in all of its business activities. Based on this
philosophy, Sony conducts numerous environmental programs.
Establishment of Environmental Management Systems
Sony believes that environmental activities are important elements of corporate management.
To conduct these activities in a systematic and efficient manner, Sony is making a concerted
effort to meet the international ISO-14001 standard for environmental management. As of the
end of March 1998, 72 Sony production facilities and 9 operating bases worldwide were ISO-
14001 certified. Preparations are proceeding toward obtaining this qualification at all major
bases by the end of March 2001.
Environmentally Sound Product Development
Sony’s Greenplus 2000 project is working toward its goal of incorporating environmental issues
as part of the development process for all Sony products from the planning and design stages by
the year 2000. The project aims to reduce materials with a high environmental impact and
promote ways to conserve energy and resources. Among the Sony products launched since this
program began are easily dismantled color TVs and VAIO notebook PCs with easily recycled
magnesium alloy outer cases.
New Technologies Addressing Environmental Issues
New technologies for promoting environmental protection are being developed at the Center for
Environmental Technologies, which is located at the Sony Research Center. Several key break-
throughs are already being applied. One example is packaging materials like Cellu Mold and
used-paper pulp mold that are made from recycled paper. Another is a recycling method for
styrene foam. By dissolving the foam in liquid limonene, a substance extracted from citrus rinds,
polystyrene resin can be extracted for reuse. Sony also succeeded in creating a method to
transform discarded plastic, such as old video cassette shells, into a water-soluble polymer. The
polymer can then be used as a condensing agent to treat waste water.
ISO-14001 Certified Sony Production Facilities
Europe
10 sites
Asia (outside Japan)
15 sites; efforts under
way at 5 sites Japan
36 sites; efforts under
way at 2 sites
North and Latin America
11 sites; efforts under way
at 5 sites
Worldwide
72 sites; efforts under way at 12 sites
(As of March 31, 1998)