Environmental Management & Product Safety
From early product design and manufacturing through end-of-life disposal, we implement measures that ensure safe practice and minimise the environmental impact of our operations.
Committed to a greener, safer future
Our dedication to environmental consciousness and safe practice is evident at every step of our supply chain. Starting with materials delivered for production, Sharp cooperates with suppliers to check their chemical substances* – ensuring proper use and control in line with REACH requirements. Our vendors also support us with responsible sourcing of minerals and waste disposal, and we have policies in place to ensure they are not complicit in human rights abuses or environmental destruction.
*Sharp’s Standard Manual for Management of Chemical Substances Contained in Parts and Materials is made available to the public to clarify the chemical substances it manages according to its own management categories https://global.sharp/corporate/eco/supplier/g_procure/#anc2-1
Meeting ISO Standards
All of our factories and the majority of our offices meet the ISO 14001 standard: a framework that sets out the requirements for environmental management systems. This helps us to improve use of resources and reduction of waste. We also follow the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive (WEEE Directive), which encourages recycling and reuse of waste to further minimise the harmful effects these products have on the environment. In addition, we’re registered with the SCIP database to help promote a circular economy.
As a responsible business, we go above and beyond to ensure that our products comply with environmental and health and safety standards. That’s why our engineers are continually developing innovative, ecological technology to make the world cleaner and greener throughout the entire chain.
Being a Responsible Business
Take a look below to discover the different measures we put in place at every step of our production chain.
Environmentally friendly products
We define our environmentally friendly products as Green Products (GP). Our GP Guidelines, which define development and design criteria in line with seven concepts, help to formulate a GP Standard Sheet. We use this document to identify how well each product meets objectives during trial manufacture and mass production stages. For instance, we use environmentally friendly materials such as glass, aluminum, and silicon – all of which can be efficiently recycled at the end of their lifecycle.
Our GP Standard Sheet is revised annually to continually improve the environmental performance of every product. It also reflects any changes to product environmental laws and regulations across Europe, ASEAN countries, and the Middle East.
Safety in the supply chain
We are working to reduce our use of chemical substances at every step of our supply chain – including research, development, and manufacturing – at levels that meet or exceed those stipulated by laws and regulations.
As an example, in our closed loop water recycling system we collect discharged water from our production processes and filter, then purify, it to remove any chemicals before reusing it in the same processes.
When it is necessary for us to use chemical substances in our products and production processes, we practice mindful and safe usage. In addition, our suppliers must ensure their usage of regulated substances comply with the EU RoHS Directive.
We also cooperate with our suppliers to check their chemical substances* too – ensuring proper use and control in line with REACH requirements.
*Sharp’s Standard Manual for Management of Chemical Substances Contained in Parts and Materials is made available to the public to clarify the chemical substances it manages according to its own management categories. https://global.sharp/corporate/eco/supplier/g_procure/#anc2-1
Reducing landfill waste
We consider the environmental consciousness of all our packaging. Currently, Sharp is increasing efforts two-fold. Not only are we reducing our total volume of packaging produced, but we’re also increasing its recyclability and ensuring it’s safe for the environment. In addition, we are committed to reducing the volume of landfill waste by following regulations that govern packaging of materials and batteries.
The impact of this can already be seen in our packaging reduction. We have already decreased plastic packaging across our latest multifunction printers (MFPs) by 17% and our display product packaging is now 100% recyclable.
Laws related to the manufacturing and distribution of parts and materials used in our products and processes are strictly complied with.
Energy Saving
We are currently designing MFPs with features that support energy savings, including sleep mode and reduced power consumption. In addition, we have added toner saving features such as double-sided printing. We have also made groundbreaking advancements in our ePaper Displays with the addition of energy efficient signage technology that consumes a remarkable zero watts when presenting content, and a minimal power draw for changing content.
Recycling
Our products and consumables are built to last. When a product does come to the end of its life, we strive to make more of our plastic recyclable through the development of new technologies. We also have our new life programme for MFPs, toner collection schemes, and safe use and disposal to support a more environmentally friendly future.
