Extensive planning and recovery efforts to eliminate waste reflected in the manufacturing process

Corporate efforts towards solving the problems of overflowing landfills and appropriate use of natural resources are becoming increasingly important. Seiko Epson is doing its part to help build a recycling society through measures such as creating easy-to-recycle products, and building systems that allow for the collection and recycling of used products and consumable goods. Product recycling pilot line starts up at Seiko Epson To accompany efforts at Seiko Epson to develop products that will not be incinerated or buried in landfills at the end of their useful life, the Epson Recycling Center was established in April 1998 as a testing ground for new recycling methods. Information equipment no longer needed in Seiko Epsonﾕs offices is disassembled and sorted there. The disassembly and sorting process pioneered at this center aims to im-prove efficiency and the level of recyclability. Reserch to increase the recyclability of future products is also underway. Progress is continuing in efforts to create a base for implementing the collection and recycling of used products from the marketplace. Seiko Epsonﾕs Product Recycling Test Plant (Recycling center within Hirooka Plant) Disassembly, sorting Pulverization Reclaimed material Flow of recycling Recycling printer consumables In 1995, we set up the Epson Cartridge Recovery Center. At this center, used toner cartridges returned by customers are collected and recycled. Starting in October 1998, Seiko Epson has increased its efforts to facilitate collection and further eliminate waste by adding a service where customers can arrange for cartridge pickup at their site with a single phone call. We are presently preparing to extend future collection and recycling efforts beyond toner cartridges to include all consumable items used in printers. Toner cartridge