Environmental impact Medium
Employer/employee ranking 17/17
Staff numbers 1,750
Energy reduction 32%
Recycling n/a

Kyosei, the Japanese word that means “living and working together for the common good” is at the heart of Canon’s corporate philosophy. The Japanese multinational firm that specialises in imaging products and cameras pioneered the recycling of used toner cartridges in 1990 and, over the past 18 years, has promoted the activity worldwide. Today, the company will recycle all cartridges returned to it from home printers. It has also achieved a 98.1% recycling rate for old photocopiers.

Employee survey results show that staff believe the company is doing all that it can to minimise its environmental impact, earning a 77% green score. They feel its commitment is serious, that it does a lot for the environment (both 83%), and always does what’s best ecologically (73%). Staff also say the progress of eco targets is communicated (78%) and they are aware of such aims (84%).

Canon’s UK headquarters in Woodhatch, Surrey, are environmentally friendly too. The building has been landscaped to preserve existing meadowland and trees. Solar panels generate up to 35kw of power at any moment, and movement-sensitive lighting and the use of special heat-absorbing concrete conserve energy.

Canon has achieved the international standard (ISO 14001) for environmental management for the past two years. Staff say the environment is an everyday consideration at work and that signage is a constant reminder to think green (both 77% green scores). They also know what ISO 14001 is, the 84% score is the fourth highest.