Fujifilm Corporate Blog | sustainability

Fujifilm & Willich Packt’s: Turn E-Waste into a Good Deed

Have you thought about what happens with your electronic gadgets after you toss them away? We live in times when fast-tech is running the show, and devices are replaced with new versions so fast, that you can barely notice. Mobile phones, laptops, toasters, lamps, fairy lights, fans, or one-time-use vapes – we discard 155,000 tonnes of electricals every year, instead of reusing or recycling them. As a result, this whole “mountain” of discarded gadgets is piled up in drawers, cabinets, or rubbish bins, creating one of the fastest growing waste streams – and a big threat to the environment and human health.

The United Nations International Telecommunication Union has set the target to raise the amount of recycled e-waste to 30%, and we are happy to make our own little step contributing to safer future for everybody. Our teams in Ratingen and Willich supported the Willich Packt’s initiative to collect e-waste for recycling and get further use of it for good deeds.

Since October, we collected old mobile ones, printer cartridges and remaining currency that is no more in use and have already handed it all over to our partners. These old electronics will now be recycled, the currency is going to be exchanged, and every single cent from this initiative will work its magic to support the Willich Christmas Wish Tree and make the wishes of children and adolescents from Willich in need come true.

How May Your Old Phone Ruin the Planet?

The problem is that your discarded mobile phone does not just litter the planet by taking up the space but they also may be not friendly to the environment, bringing serious damage. Most mobile phones, as well as some other gadgets, may contain hazardous chemicals such as lead, mercury, cadmium, or arsenic. If we don’t recycle them properly, these may end up in our water, air, and soil.

Just over 17% of the global e-waste is properly recycled, with Europe collecting around 55%. The rest ends up in landfills, damaging the planet. And the WEEE says, by 2030, global e-waste generation will reach 74 million tonnes a year.

How to Make Use of E-Waste?

75% of all materials in your old electrical devices can be recycled. Often, there are valuable, even rare, materials that could have been recovered and reused turning into useful things like reusable accessories, plastics, precious metals for microchips and dental fillings, or hard metals which can then be used in construction, for airplanes, and a broad range of home items. Not to say about the amount of energy it can save! Let’s talk numbers: according to the Scientific American magazine, if we were to recycle the estimated 130 million phones thrown away every year only in the USA, we could potentially save enough energy to power nearly 25 000 homes for the whole year.

“If we went ahead and recycled one million laptops, too, we would save the energy equivalent to the electricity used by 3,657 U.S. homes in a year. Furthermore, for every million mobile phones we recycle, 35,274 pounds of copper, 772 pounds of silver, 75 pounds of gold and 33 pounds of palladium can be recovered. Recovering these valuable metals through recycling precludes the need for mining and processing that much new material from the Earth, thus not only conserving natural resources but preventing air and water pollution as well,”
Scientific American magazine.

You Can Contribute Too!

So, what can you do? Anything with a plug, a battery or a cable can be recycled. Instead of just tossing not used electronics away, let’s find ways to give them a new life. As e-waste does not belong to the regular waste, look for the nearest collection points or special recycling bins in your town. It is better to divide your e-waste by kind, separating those needing extra handling, such as batteries. After collection points, your old devices will be sent to specialized electronics recyclers, separated, and turned into new items, or managed properly. Get free from your electronics consciously and make a difference!

1000 trees in Ratingen: Growing a Change

Each day, 42 million trees in the world are cut down. That is more than 15 billion trees per year. Humans have already destroyed more than 40% of all the trees on the planet, and speed and intensity of the destruction leaves no space for optimism. Deforestation is beginning to take its toll as global temperatures rise and the effects of climate change become noticeable.

Only two years ago, at the UN Climate Change Conference, over 130 countries representing 85% of the world’s forests made pledges to stop and reverse deforestation by 2030. And now, the WWF publishes its fresh Forest Pathways 2023 report, claiming that the world is already off track to reach the goal in time. Reforestation is struggling to catch up, and the lack of progress on commitments clearly puts the world at risk of missing key targets.

Taking a Stand for Nature

During the month of COP28, we launched a reforestation project in collaboration with the PLANT-MY-TREE®. After the 1000 trees planted last year in Düsseldorf, one more thousand of trees were planted in Ratingen on November 9^th, aiming to reduce our environmental impact and contribute to biodiversity. This project also supports our Sustainable Value Plan 2030 which aims to eliminate CO2 emissions by FY2040 and reflects our ongoing commitment to protect nature and safeguard the planet. To ensure the long-term impact and strong and healthy tree growth while preserving the area, we will put our newborn mixed forest under the regular monitoring.

Why is it important?

Trees are what makes this planet “breathe”. They soak up carbon dioxide and generate clean air, helping reduce the concentration of greenhouse gases and being the devoted partner in a fight against global warming. Apart of that, a single tree can be a home for hundreds of plants, insects, moss, and mammals. Bringing back trees through reforestation supports their natural habitats and creates a safe environment for plants, insects, birds, and other creatures. It preserves biodiversity and helps stop the extinction of species.

“Planting trees is not only about creating a carbon reserve, but also about reducing the risk of flooding and erosion, improving the water cycle and air quality, and providing valuable resources to local communities, such as the one in Ratingen where we operate our European headquarters,”
Luana Porfido, European Head of Corporate Communication and ESG Management FUJIFILM Europe GmbH.

Through this collaborative effort, we aim to contribute to a safer future for new generations, and we encourage you to join. You can help directly by planting or purchasing trees, or you can also promote the initiative among friends and family, fostering the awareness. Step by step toward a change!

Discover FUJIFILM Kangaroo: Your Plug-and-Play Solution for Long-Term Data Archiving

Are you ready for an exciting innovation in the world of data storage? Join us at the upcoming storage2day event in Frankfurt/Main, taking place from September 26 to September 27, 2023. Our very own Sebastian Skrypka, Business Development Manager at Fujifilm Recording Media, will be unveiling the remarkable FUJIFILM Kangaroo – a game-changing plug-and-play solution for long-term data archiving.

In his presentation, Sebastian Skrypka will delve into the latest product developments by Fujifilm Recording Media. See how it empowers you to archive file-based data and rapidly growing object data onto tape storage, while making the process simpler and more efficient. You’ll gain insights into all the advantages, along with valuable information about tape technology and FUJIFILM Object Archive software combined for a secure, open and sustainable data archiving experience.

Key Learning Objectives

explore potential strategies for long-term and secure data archiving;
understand the benefits of FUJIFILM Kangaroo and how it can transform your data management.

FUJIFILM Holdings named to CDP Supplier Engagement Leader for 5 years in a row

FUJIFILM Holdings Corporation has once again been recognized for its commitment to addressing climate change in its supply chains. The global non-profit organization CDP has named FUJIFILM as a Supplier Engagement Leader for the fifth consecutive year. This recognition places FUJIFILM among the top 8% of companies surveyed by CDP.

At the core of FUJIFILM’s corporate activities is its belief in environmental conservation. The company’s CSR plan, Sustainable Value Plan 2030, includes a target to reduce carbon dioxide emissions across the entire product lifecycle by 50% compared to FY2019 levels by FY2030. To achieve this goal, FUJIFILM is working to reduce carbon dioxide emissions throughout its entire supply chain by sharing its approach to environmental and procurement policies with its suppliers.

CDP is a non-profit organization that encourages companies to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions, safeguard water resources, and protect forests. Working with over 680 institutional investors with assets of US$130 trillion, CDP promotes transparency and management of environmental impacts by companies.

World Water Day: A reminder of the importance of water conservation

Every year on March 22, the entire world comes together to celebrate World Water Day as a reminder of the importance of water and the need to preserve this precious resource for future generations. With over 70% of the earth’s surface covered by water, it is easy to take it for granted. However, with population growth, increased urbanization, and climate change, water is becoming increasingly scarce, and the need to conserve water has never been more urgent.

This year’s World Water Day is themed “Valuing Water” to highlight the importance of recognizing the true value of water in all its forms, beyond the economic. Water is essential for human health, ecosystems and agriculture, and we must learn to use and manage it more sustainably.

One example of sustainable water management is Fujifilm Tilburg’s water treatment plant in the Netherlands. Fujifilm and neighboring companies Coca-Cola European Partners Nederland B.V., International Flavors and Fragrances (IFF Nederland) and Agristo are jointly purifying water on-site and reducing waste by working together. The plant is over 3,000 square meters in size and can purify 10 million liters of process water every day. This makes it one of the largest industrial membrane bioreactor (MBR) plants of its kind in the Netherlands.

Alex van Rijn, Environment, Safety, Health and Sustainability Manager at Fujifilm Tilburg, explains that the joint water treatment plant was an initiative of the four neighboring companies ten years ago. The wastewater from all four companies contains similar contaminants, allowing it to be combined, treated and discharged in a safe and efficient manner. By reducing waste and reusing water, Fujifilm and its neighbours are setting an example for other companies to follow.

Saving water is important not only for the environment, but also for business. By using water sparingly, companies can reduce their costs, improve their reputation and strengthen their sustainability efforts. To conserve water, businesses can take simple steps such as fixing leaks, using water-efficient equipment and collecting rainwater for irrigation.

Individuals can also take measures to conserve water. Simple solutions like turning off the faucet when brushing teeth, taking shorter showers, and using a bucket to collect water when washing dishes or laundry can make a big difference. Consumer choice can make a difference too by supporting businesses that promote sustainability and water conservation.

In summary, World Water Day is a reminder of the importance of saving water. By recognizing the value of water in all its forms and taking action to conserve it, we can ensure that this precious resource is available for future generations. Whether through innovative solutions like the collective water treatment plant at Fujifilm Tilburg or simple measures like fixing leaks and taking shorter showers, every effort counts in the fight for sustainable water management.

Planting Trees – Planting Future

Did you know that most aspects of our lives, such as drinking a glass of water or taking medicine for a fever, are linked to some extent to forests? Today, March 21, 2023, we celebrate the International Day of Forests. Back in 2012 the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed 21 March the International Day of Forests, celebrating and raising awareness of the importance of all types of forests.

In the COP27, the 2022 United Nations Climate Change Conference, the heads of countries around the globe cam together to agree on policies to limit global temperature rises and adapt to impacts associated with climate change. We at Fujifilm joined PLANT MY TREE, Germany’s largest tree planting tour that started on 02.11.2022, to do our part against climate change.

PLANT MY TREE travelled across Germany to plant 100,000 trees in 10 selected cities, including ours. Looking ahead, thinking in the long term and act thoughtfully on the ground in the interests of nature and climate protection is the claim of PLANT MY TREE foundation. And also for us, sustainability is of fundamental importance, and we want to make the greatest possible contribution to preserving nature as a healthy, valuable habitat. Together with the PLANT MY TREE team, we donated and planted 1,000 trees in the Dusseldorf area, around 8 km from our headquarters. As a Christmas gift, each Fujifilm employee based in Germany was gifted their own tree.

Geo-coordinates such as 51°20’45.9”N 6°47’48.5”E have been provided to each employee making it easy to locate the planting area where our trees were planted. Now each of our employees can visit the Fujifilm forest and their own tree whenever they want and accompany them on their way to becoming a mature forest. To ensure that the tree population can grow again in a controlled manner, PLANT MY TREE carries out their plantings specifically on their own areas. Thus, they ensure that the trees in these areas remain standing and cannot be used for industrial recycling and protect the area from unwelcome visitors.

Obviously, we know that this is not enough to protect the climate, nature and the environment. However, it is another step forward in Fujifilm’s commitment to the environment. This commitment was already outlined in the SVP2030(1) plan which, amongst other things, aims to reduce CO2 emissions in Fujifilm’s company operations and develop as well as promote environmentally conscious products and services.

Toshi’s Guests: Antonina Realmuto

Welcome to the interview series ‘Toshi’s Guest’ where Toshi Iida, President and Managing Director of Fujifilm Europe, welcomes different guests from the company. He meets and interviews interesting women through Fujifilm Europe while learning about their soft skills, goals, and roles as professionals, leaders, mothers, and women.

Today’s guest: Antonina Realmuto, Group Sustainability Director for Fujifilm Ink Solutions Group.

“To prosper over time every company must not only deliver financial performance, but also show how it makes a positive contribution to society.”
Antonina Realmuto

In the Green Issue of Women4Women, Antonina has already highlighted the importance of building and embedding Sustainability in all our activities and the need to create value for the next generation.

Sustainable Solutions at the Heart of ‘Fujifilm House’

2022 has been the year of renewing or building new office spaces for FUJIFILM in Europe with constructions in Germany, Spain and now also in the UK. In October 2022, Fujifilm officially opened ‘Fujifilm House’, our new UK headquarters in Bedford, which boasts more than 30,000 square feet of attractive working space, built with sustainability in mind.

Since 1983 Fujifilm UK’s operation shave been located on Bedford and only a short distance from the old building, the new one was constructed. However, there is one significant difference compared to the old building: SUSTAINABILITY. Sustainability considerations were integral to the new building’s design and the new site’s excellent BREEAM environmental rating underlines this point.

Protecting wildlife habitats

We have worked together with the Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire to keep the environment around its UK HQ site as habitable as possible for wildlife. For instance, by installing permeable slabs in the Fujifilm House car park, we are able to nurture worms residing in the ground, prevent flooding and help maintain the water table.

Energy efficiencies

The site features 80 rooftop solar panels which are able to generate up to 63,000 kW of electricity annually, saving an impressive 29 tonnes of CO2 emissions annually. Additionally, the new building accommodates 16 charging points for colleagues and visitors to use to anticipate the shift away from fossil fuel-powered vehicles.

Waste management

A waste sorting system, comprised of bins with different colored lids, enables rubbish to be sorted into different categories, making it easier to recycle. Steering away from single-use plastic cups on-site has encouraged the take-up of reusable cups.

Naturally clean

Fujifilm has also taken steps to keep the UK headquarters clean and tidy, in an eco-friendly manner. For example, toilets are flushed with water obtained by a rainwater collection and storage system, and toilet paper is made from completely recycled material. Even the toilet roll dispensers are made from recycled Tetra Pak packaging. In addition, the cleaning agent, which is made from biodegradable materials, is sold as tablets which can be added to water to form a liquid soap.

These are all just examples of actions taken in our new building. There is much more to discover on site. As you can see, the new ‘FUJIFILM House’ in the UK integrated sustainability at its heart.

FUJIFILM Holdings Named to CDP ‘A List’

We do not know where to start… We cannot describe in words how honored we are that FUJIFILM Holdings was named to CDP ‘A List’ for Leadership in Climate Action and Water Security.

CDP – Carbon Disclosure Project – is a global non-profit that drives companies to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions, safeguard water resources and protect forests. Working with over 680 institutional investors with assets of US$130 trillion, CDP promotes companies to disclose and manage their environmental impacts.

We are delighted that FUJIFILM Holdings has been named as an ‘A List’ in both climate change and water security. Since clean water and air are essential for the manufacturing of photographic film, which is the starting point of the Fujifilm Group, environmental conservation is fundamental to our business activities. We will continue to contribute to society through proactive efforts such as decarbonization, conservation of water resources and reduction of waste in cooperation with local communities and government to resolve environmental issues around the world.
Teiichi Goto, president and CEO, representative director of FUJIFILM Holdings Corporation

At Fujifilm, social responsibility has a great importance across the organization. As a result, Fujifilm’s corporate social responsibility plan, ‘Sustainable Value Plan 2030,’ was established, addressing climate change and natural resource recycling. We, the Fujifilm group, have set a target of reducing water usage of the entire Fujifilm Group by 30% compared to FY2013 level and working to conserve water resources through efficient water use and wastewater treatment within our manufacturing plants.

In addition, we have set ourselves a target of reducing carbon dioxide emissions in the entire product lifecycle by 50% by the fiscal year ending March 2031 (FY2030) compared to FY2019 level. Therefore, we launched the environmental strategy ‘Green Value Climate Strategy‘ to manufacture with a lower environmental impact and to create products and services that offer excellent environmental performance.

What has Fujifilm accomplished towards these goals thus far?

Concluded a “comprehensive partnership agreement towards a decarbonized future” with the Tokyo Gas Co., Ltd., to create a carbon-neutral model in manufacturing using state-of-the-art decarbonization technologies
Carbon neutrality at its recycling site of multifunctional printers in China in July 2022 by switching entirely to renewable electricity
Reduced environmental impact of local wastewater treatment by sharing a large-scale treatment facility located at FUJIFILM Manufacturing Europe B.V. in the Netherlands with neighboring companies
In-house treatment of all wastewater in manufacturing of sensor films for touch panels at the Ashigara site of the Kanagawa factory in Japan
Provides products such as magnetic tape storage media that can significantly reduce carbon dioxide emissions by reducing electricity consumption during data storage