Global environmental issues have become a major challenge worldwide. As responsible corporate citizens, we are committed to environmental conservation by actively promoting environmentally responsible products and services. To support these efforts, each employee will continue to take action in their daily work, starting with small steps. We believe that these sustained efforts will help preserve the rich natural environment and contribute to building a sustainable society.
Participation in Fun to Share
Toward a Low-Carbon Society
Following the completion of the Kyoto Protocol commitment period, the Japanese government set greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets in 2013 under a new framework. Under these new targets, a new public initiative was launched to encourage people across Japan to work together toward a low-carbon society. Climate change, or global warming, is an urgent issue that cannot wait. HIMACS supports Fun to Share (a Japanese government-led low-carbon campaign) as part of its efforts to help build a low-carbon society.
Our Initiatives
Our work environment primarily consists of standard office work using PCs and other equipment. In this environment, we will continue to promote the following initiatives that employees can participate in through their daily work.
- Setting appropriate air conditioning temperatures by encouraging seasonally appropriate, comfortable office attire
- Turning off PC monitors when away from desks and shutting down PCs when leaving the office
- Promoting green purchasing, including the purchase of eco-friendly products
- Preventing unnecessary purchases and reducing waste by promoting the reuse of office equipment and supplies
Seasonally Appropriate Office Attire
As part of our office energy conservation and CO2 reduction initiatives, we encourage flexible, climate-appropriate office attire in both summer and winter. Employees are also permitted to work without ties in the office, provided they maintain a professional appearance appropriate to their duties. Through these efforts, we strive to create a comfortable and practical working environment.
Industrial Waste Volume
Notes:1. Scope of collection: all Group companies
2. The volume increased in FY2020 due to the relocation and consolidation of business offices.
Office Paper Purchases
Notes:1. Scope of data collection: non-consolidated basis.
2. A3 paper is converted into the equivalent of two A4 sheets.
Building a Circular Economy
Use of the Tamatte-Bako Document Recycling System
Efficient and Secure Disposal of Confidential Documents
Tamatte-Bako is a system that enables employees to dispose of documents efficiently without spending time shredding them. A specialized contractor with recognized certifications, including PrivacyMark, ISO 27001, and ISO 9001, periodically collects the accumulated documents. The collected documents are then recycled and reused as raw materials for Koshihikari, a recycled paper product.
The system also ensures that information contained in the documents is securely and reliably destroyed without leakage.
Promoting Paperless Meetings
Reducing Unnecessary Paper Consumption
We have introduced paperless meetings for regularly scheduled meetings. Instead of printing digital materials, participants use tablets to view documents and write notes directly on them during meetings, helping to reduce printing costs.
In addition, because document pages can be synchronized for participants joining remotely, the system can be used together with video and audio conferencing systems to help reduce travel costs.
Environmental Picture Diary Campaign
Children Express Their Views on Environmental Issues Through Picture Diaries
HIMACS sponsors the Environmental Picture Diary Exhibition, an educational event that encourages children living in Yokohama to think about environmental issues at school and at home.
Children discuss environmental issues with their families and express their thoughts through picture diaries. Through this initiative, they are expected to gain accurate knowledge and develop greater environmental awareness from an early age.
Water Resources
Doshi Forest Water Source Fund
Conserving Vital Water Sources for the Residents of Yokohama
In 1897, the City of Yokohama began drawing water from the Doshi River, which flows through Doshi Village in Yamanashi Prefecture. As Yokohama’s population grew, the volume of water drawn from the river increased, making it an increasingly important water source. Although the city-owned water source forests have been systematically maintained and managed for approximately 100 years, an increasing number of privately owned forests, which account for about 60% of Doshi Village, have become insufficiently maintained due to labor shortages and other factors. As a result, their water source conservation function—the ability to store and purify water and mitigate flooding—has been declining.
To restore these areas as forests with strong water source conservation functions, the Doshi Water Source Forest Volunteer Project has been implemented to enable citizen volunteers to maintain privately owned forests. The Yokohama Waterworks Bureau works with volunteer organizations, including the NPO Doshi Water Source Forest Volunteer Association, to advance forest restoration activities.
The Doshi Forest Water Source Fund was established to support these volunteer activities.
HIMACS supports the purpose of this initiative and contributes to water source conservation activities through volunteer participation and financial support.