By Claudia Carrivale
prensa@editoracycargentina.com.ar

Environmental awareness is a global priority, and companies are responsible for minimizing their negative impact on the environment and society, providing sustainable solutions to benefit their communities. Epson, a world leader in technology, has been approaching its corporate strategy with a marked commitment that began 80 years ago and is strengthened every day to promote a more harmonious relationship between productive development and nature. In this sense, the company works around four pillars: achieving sustainability in a circular economy, advancing the frontiers of the industry, improving quality of life, and fulfilling its social responsibility by creating shared social value.

In March 2021, Epson reviewed and updated its Environmental Vision 2050, which has the goal of carbon neutrality by 2050. "We believe that we can prosper as a company if our products and solutions go beyond their designed function and take into account the preservation of the natural world around us. That is why we rely on identifying social problems as a first step, and then consider how we can use our technology to solve them," explained Abner de la Guarda, Environmental & Regulatory Regional Manager of Epson Latin America.

Epson takes a comprehensive approach from design and manufacturing to recycling and responsible management of end-of-life products. "The balance between economic and ecological value is part of our purpose. That is why we are committed to different initiatives and we put all our efforts into making the most of resources, which is why we gradually advance in increasing the reuse of materials in the production of new products, once the useful life of the product in question has ended. We aim to achieve a sustainable economy, low in carbon and efficient in the use of resources, thus reducing the generation of waste," said Pablo Kasjan, Senior Business Manager Epson Argentina.

Pablo Kasjan

Senior Business Manager EPSON Argentina.

Efficient, compact and precise

In terms of its product development, Epson's challenge is to offer products and services that exceed user expectations. Its philosophy is to develop efficient, compact and precise technologies. Sho-Sho-Sei, as it is known in Japan, has been infused into all Epson products since the beginning. "Our printers are designed to achieve low energy consumption, minimize waste, have a small footprint, ensure high reliability and minimize moving parts, resulting in outstanding solutions for our customers. We are also working to gradually incorporate recycled plastic into the manufacturing of new products," Kasjan added.

Among the greenest solutions are PrecisionCore Heat-Free Technology, the broad portfolio of inkjet printers, which increase productivity and help reduce environmental impact. Also 3LCD projectors, which lead the global market and offer innovative functions, such as ECO mode, which can reduce energy consumption by up to 29%. Additionally, models with long-lasting laser light sources reduce the need for maintenance. On the other hand, the cartridge-free EcoTank Printers, which have more than 60 million units sold worldwide, have larger and refillable ink tanks, and have contributed to reducing plastic waste. Products with user-replaceable parts have also been developed.

More local actions

Globally, energy accounts for more than 70% of greenhouse gas emissions. Therefore, for EPSON the transition towards the exclusive use of renewable energy is a fundamental pillar to achieve the goal of decarbonization. In line with this vision, through local work, Epson Argentina is part of the global achievement obtained in December 2023 by the company of having completed 100% migration to renewable energies “For our facilities, we have acquired I-REC Certificates equivalent to 100% of the energy consumption of our operation in the country,” said de la Guarda. “I-RECs are energy attribute certificates, which are used to prove that the origin of the energy used in production processes is from renewable sources.”

Among other notable actions, in May the International Recycling Day is celebrated, therefore, the company is launching an internal recycling campaign, and is developing the platform to launch product replacement campaigns for the end customer, which consists of the customer who brings an old product and delivers it for recycling, accesses a discount on the purchase of a new Epson product and the product delivered by the customer will be sent to an authorized recycling plant seeking to recover valuable parts and pieces for new production processes.

Abner de la Guarda

Environmental & Regulatory
Regional Manager of Epson Latin America.

“We aim to recycle the old products received and, if possible, give them a destination other than final disposal in landfills,” explained Kasjan. “We also have a Program for the Administration of Products and Supplies that have reached the end of their useful life, where we offer our clients to take charge of the proper recycling and disposal of waste.”

Finally, Epson is part of an innovative reforestation program in the country "For every WorkForce printer or multifunctional sold, Epson Argentina donates a native tree that is planted by Fundación Reforestemos in the forests of the Río Tigre Reserve in Argentine Patagonia, thus contributing to the recovery of our forests and promoting a culture of respect for the environment," De la Guarda concluded.