Oct 24 2012
By fundamentally altering its freight-shipping practices, Kyocera Communications Inc., a San Diego-based provider of wireless phones in the Americas and a wholly owned subsidiary of Kyocera International Inc., was able to prevent more than 4,000 tons of carbon dioxide emissions in 2011.
In recognition of these efforts, the company today earned a “2012 Environmental Excellence Award” from the Industrial Environmental Association (IEA) in the category of Climate Change. The award was presented at the organization’s 28th Annual Environmental Summit in San Diego.
"On behalf of the Industrial Environmental Association I am pleased to announce Kyocera Communications Inc. as the winner of this year's Environmental Excellence Award in the category of Climate Change," said Jack Monger, executive director at IEA. "Kyocera has proven to be a leader in this category through its efficient packaging and shipping methods that have reduced carbon dioxide emissions by an impressive amount, and it's a privilege to recognize the company at our 28th Annual Environmental Summit."
Previously, Kyocera’s mobile phones were shipped in full retail packaging to the U.S. market from an overseas Kyocera manufacturing facility. In 2011, Kyocera moved the retail packaging process to the U.S., allowing phones to be shipped from overseas in bulk packaging. Instead of shipping 240 fully packaged devices per pallet the company was able to ship 3,600 devices per pallet, a 1,500 percent increase that substantially reduced the overall number of freight shipments required. Along with preventing more than 4,000 tons of carbon dioxide emissions in 2011, the change generated considerable savings on freight-shipping costs and proved that green business practices can be smart business decisions.
“Kyocera takes great pride in our commitment to social responsibility and environmental stewardship, and we’re grateful to the IEA for recognizing our efforts,” said Eric Anderson, senior vice president and general manager of sales and marketing at Kyocera Communications Inc. "We are very excited that this change in our business makes Kyocera more efficient while reducing our carbon footprint. The fact that it helps our bottom line is an added bonus.”
In addition to the IEA award, Kyocera recently received the Director’s Recycling Award for environmental programs from the City of San Diego's Environmental Services Department (ESD). It was the twelfth consecutive year the City has awarded Kyocera for its recycling efforts. Kyocera has earned 19 such awards from the City – more than any other business in San Diego, according to the ESD.
Kyocera Corp. was founded 53 years ago with a philosophy of “harmonious coexistence” and a commitment to social responsibility and environmental protection. In 2011 Kyocera Communications recycled more than 26,730 pounds of paper, plastic, electronic and other waste materials otherwise destined for landfills. These efforts, along with changes in the domestic distribution of its mobile devices, allowed Kyocera to significantly reduce its carbon footprint.