Wednesday June 27 -- TRUMBULL, Conn., June 27 -- Oce, a global leader in digital document management, continues its leadership in promoting environmental sustainability with the release of its 2006 Sustainability Report. The latest report -- the first to be verified externally -- documents Oce achievements in delivering sustainable technology and environmentally sound policies.
"Environmental responsibility is a global issue, and as an international company, we are aware of our duty to make a difference around the world. We are proud to take responsibility by developing products and establishing policies that promote a healthier environment, and offer an example for other manufacturers that it is possible to be successful and sustainable," said Joseph Skrzypczak, President and CEO, Oce North America, Inc.
The 2006 Sustainability Report details the company's use and re-use of components, energy and water consumption, waste handling and emissions, as well as human and environmental safety. The report also contains various interviews with stakeholders about sustainability. Copies are available at http://www.oceusa.com/sustainability2006.
Oce is committed to reducing ozone, dust and toner emissions and aims to minimize waste and unnecessary prints. Oce is also committed to further reducing energy consumption per print. With the introduction of revolutionary Oce Gemini Instant Duplex technology-based products such as the Oce VarioPrint 6250 printer, Oce provides industry leadership in the economic use of paper toner and energy. This print system uses paper, toner and energy more economically, thanks to its double-sided print technology and efficient single-pass operation.
The new Sustainability Report also highlights Oce remanufacturing and reuse of components. Oce has been doing this for decades and has adapted all its logistic processes to support a sustainable environmental program. Due to the high quality of materials and engineering, many Oce components can be reused in new systems, limiting the environmental impact as a result. When a machine reaches the end of its economic lifespan, Oce reclaims it and strives to reuse the components. Systems get a "second life" through reused components, which stay in play instead of being discarded as waste.
Oce was one of the first companies to be RoHS compliant, implementing the investment across its product line, from the Oce VarioPrint cut sheet systems to Oce VarioStream® continuous form systems. The Restriction of Hazardous Substances Directive (RoHS) restricts use of six hazardous materials in the manufacture of various types of electronic and electrical equipment. The RoHS, a requirement in Europe, is part of a legislative initiative to solve the problem of large amounts of toxic e-waste.
Members of the Oce VarioPrint multifunction family have been awarded Blue Angel certification. This means they have fulfilled very strict requirements on emissions of dust, heat, ozone and noise. No carcinogenic, mutagenic or reprotoxic substances may be added to the plastics used in casing and toners; the maximum emission levels for volatile organic compounds, ozone and dust may not be exceeded; and noise production (sound power level) may not exceed 75 dB(A). Oce VarioPrint systems using Oce CopyPress technology produce virtually no ozone emissions, and their photoconductors contain no toxic elements. As an ENERGY STAR partner, Oce is committed to products meet the ENERGY STAR guidelines for efficiency.
Oce has been recognized for its social and environmental responsibility by a number of international organizations. Oce is fourth in Van Lanschot Bankiers' Corporate Social Responsibility Benchmark and sixth in the Responsible Supply Chain Management Benchmark of the Dutch Association of Investors for Sustainable Development (VBDO). The company has been included in the Dow Jones Sustainability Index since 2004 and endorses the UN Global Compact. In addition, Oce is a member of various European and international public and private initiatives related to sustainability.