Epson Philippines maintains a close collaboration with World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Philippines in an ongoing effort to address a range of environmental challenges. This partnership, established in 2022, has resulted in several collaborative endeavors dedicated to the preservation of the country’s biodiversity, the promotion of sustainable utilization of renewable natural resources, and the reduction of pollution and excessive consumption. Their most recent joint initiative underscores the urgent need for collective action to tackle the pressing environmental issues related to plastic pollution and waste management.
Dino Calderon, the Program Manager for Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) at WWF-Philippines, highlights the severe waste management crisis in the Philippines, with plastic pollution standing as a major contributor.
“Situated amid vast oceans, the Philippines ranks as the third-largest global contributor to ocean plastic pollution, generating 2.7 million metric tons of plastic waste annually, according to a 2015 study by Ocean Conservancy,” explained Calderon. “This situation not only jeopardizes marine life but also poses significant threats to human health and the overall ecosystem.”
WWF-Philippines and Epson are encouraging businesses to take active measures in fostering a more environmentally responsible workplace culture.
To implement this initiative, Epson invited WWF-Philippines to host an educational session for its employees. The session centered on the current state of pollution and waste management in the Philippines, its environmental repercussions, and the actions that both organizations and individuals can take to mitigate these issues. The objective was to inform Epson’s workforce about the critical environmental challenges facing the Philippines and empower them to initiate change, starting at an individual level.
Masako Kusama, President at Epson Philippines, emphasized the significance of individual actions and their cumulative impact on society. “Epson recognizes the importance of individual actions and their collective impact on society,” she stated. “By educating our employees about pollution and waste management, we aim to cultivate a culture of sustainability within our organization and contribute to the global endeavor to combat pollution and safeguard the environment.”
Conducted by Calderon, the discussion emphasized the role of corporations like Epson in educating their employees about plastic pollution and waste management, and the importance of putting this knowledge into practice.
“Corporations play a pivotal role in addressing environmental issues. By raising awareness and encouraging employees to adopt sustainable practices, companies like Epson can make a substantial impact on reducing pollution and preserving our planet for future generations,” Calderon explained.
Epson believes that its partnership with WWF-Philippines will raise awareness of the environmental crisis and instill a sense of responsibility among its employees. By hosting these discussions and continuing to collaborate with WWF-Philippines to develop programs, Epson aims to inspire its workforce to adopt sustainable practices and contribute to the global mission of preserving the environment.
