May 30th Community Clean-up in Yokohama for Zero Waste Day
June 05, 2024
As a company that uses plastic in both our products and our business activities, the Sony Group takes the concerning state of marine plastic pollution very seriously, and we have launched the "One Blue Ocean Project" in response. As part of this project, Sony employees around the world work together to reduce plastic use and clean up plastic waste in order to preserve the beauty of the world's oceans for future generations.
One such effort occurred on Zero Waste Day (May 30th), a day dedicated to reducing waste and promoting recycling initiatives. Sony Corporation organized a neighborhood clean-up effort where employees would pick up litter between Yokohama Station and Sony City Minatomirai during their morning commute.
It is believed that 80% of marine debris originates in urban areas, as accumulated city trash gets into nearby drains, then flows into rivers and eventually out to sea. Sony Corporation already organizes spring and autumn beach clean-ups, but this time we decided to do something about the urban trash that could potentially end up in the sea. On Zero Waste Day, 38 volunteers ranging from regular employees to executives participated in the clean-up, collectively picking up nine and a half 90-liter bags' worth of trash over a period of one and a half hours.
In a questionnaire, many participants found the experience impactful, with comments like, "It was a good way to get some exercise before work, and I would definitely participate again if I get another chance," "There was more trash than I expected, and I think we needed more time," and, "I let my colleagues know about the issue, and encouraged them not to litter."
Sony Corporation will continue to fulfill our social responsibilities as a company and enact environmental conservation initiatives.
