Top > Corporate Social Responsibility > Environment > Environmental Activities
Promoting Environmental Education Leveraging the Features of Our Business
Benesse aims to contribute to society through businesses themselves. Our Environmental Policy, which was revised in March 2008, calls on us to make the most of our business strengths to promote environmental education. As part of this initiative, we launched the Ecolo-Project. And we now provide environmental education from pre-school to high school, according children's ages.
- Interview
- Ecolo-Project
- Business-Based Environmental Activities
- Creation of Educational Materials
- Collection and Recycling of Videotapes
- Recycling of Stretch-Wrap Film
- Reducing Paper by Improving the Red Pen Teacher System
- Procurement of Eco-Friendly Paper for Printing
- Measures to Reduce the Volume of Paper Used
- Promotion of Waste Reduction, Separation and Recycling
- Energy-Saving Activities in Offices
- Recycling Office Wastepaper
- Office-Based Environmental Activities (Okayama Headquarters)
- Environmental Activities at Offices (Osaka Office)
- Office-Based Environmental Activities (Kyushu Office)
Interview
Environmental Show-and-Tell Stories Draw Nationwide Applause
Kazuhiro Kawada
Business Development Section
President's Office, Marketing and Sales Division
Around the fall of 2007, we questioned why we couldn't offer environmental education for pre-schoolers. When we asked kindergartens across the country, we found that teachers were somewhat at a loss as to what to teach because the environment was such a broad subject, and while they wanted to teach kids to appreciate the value of material objects, they had difficulty conveying ideas. Inspired by the popularity of crime-prevention storybooks featuring Shimajiro, a character in our Kodomo Challenge correspondence courses for preschool children, we created show-and-tell stories called Mottainaimura no Motta-kun in 2008, when the environmental summit was held in Toyako, Hokkaido, Japan. Simply structured, these books use pictures to teach children about environmental issues that affect them on a day-to-day basis using Motta-kun, the main character. The content learned at kindergarten is reviewed at home with parents, so we also distributed home-use teaching materials to each household. Kindergarten children write their activities at home on “leaves” which are collected at kindergarten. This cycle of learning requires children to think for themselves and engage in environment-related activities, arousing their interest in the environment.
The creation of these new learning materials was supervised by Japan Environment Association (JEA) at our request. JEA thought highly of our efforts, saying, “Many companies provide environmental education to children, but Benesse must surely be unique in also taking this education into the home as integrally as it does.” We were also astounded at the strong response from kindergartens across Japan, with more than 3,000 schools applying for teaching materials. As a result, around 420,000 kindergarten children were able to enjoy these storybooks.
We Dream of Establishing Japan's First Comprehensive Environmental Education Program
I actually had the opportunity to see teachers reading these storybooks in class. I have to say that the reaction of the children exceeded my expectations and they ended up chanting “Motta-kun, Motta-kun.” We also received positive comments from parents, such as “The kids now turn the TV off at home when it isn't being watched,” and “The kids are now teaching us parents things.” In 2009, we began environmental picture story-book activities targeted at playschools.
A key theme for us now is to establish a comprehensive environmental education program. All kindergartens in Fukui Prefecture introduced the storybooks and the prefecture's environmental administration section has asked for our help now in creating an integrated environmental education program encompassing all schools from kindergartens to high schools. So far, Benesse has taken up environmental issues in various learning materials, including Kodomo Challenge and Shinkenzemi, but we haven't yet devised a systematic program structured by school year. I doubt whether there is one anywhere in Japan. If we can create such a program, we surely will be contributing to the environment in the best way possible.
Ecolo-Project
Ecolo-Project
Ecolo-Project combines three words -“ecology,” “kokoro” (heart or spirit) and “project.” It expresses our passion for environmental education. Through environmental education, children come to think about the environment as a matter of course and enjoy activities. Our hope is that leaders will emerge from the various activities that we began in fiscal 2008.
Ecolo-Project Activities in Fiscal 2008
| Environmental Show-and-Tell Stories (for kindergarten children) | No. of kindergartens: 3,298 (24% of all kindergartens) Performance reports: Approx. 700 kindergartens, 21,191 students Estimated CO2 reduction: 1,414,973 kg |
|---|---|
| Environmental Contests*(for older elementary through high school students) | No. of applications Elementary school students: 276 Junior high school students: 635 High school students: 168 |
| Participation in Environmental Events |
2008 Exhibition on the Environment (June, Sapporo) Survey respondents: 857 people, 97% satisfaction rate Eco-Products Exhibition Tohoku 2008 (October, Sendai) Survey respondents: 2,013 people, 95% satisfaction rate |
*Environmental Contests
Benesse began running a competition in fiscal 2008, soliciting entries from older elementary through high school students describing their thoughts on the environment,
and what they are doing to preserve it. The submission period was over the summer holidays, and we received many excellent works, which we reviewed, announcing awards for the best submissions.
2008 Exhibition of the Environment Commemorating the G8 Hokkaido Toyako Summit
Benesse's booth
Benesse's Hokkaido Office had a booth at the Integrated Exhibition of the Environment 2008 Commemorating the G8 Hokkaido Toyako Summit held in June 2008. A total of 333 companies and groups engaged in environmental activities participated in the event, which attracted more than 80,000 visitors.
Benesse's booth was based on the concept of learning about the environment through seeing, touching and experiencing. Among other displays, the booth screened an environmental video featuring Shimajiro and picture-card shows, exhibited environmental learning materials and featured an eco-tree to which children attached leaf-like stickers with statements about their environmental activities.
Business-Based Environmental Activities
Environmental education pages in Kodomo Challenge teaching materials
With Kodomo Challenge, a correspondence course targeted at pre-schoolers, teaching materials incorporate an environmental perspective. Furthermore, in its Shinkenzemi Elementary School Courses, Benesse has produced a supplement called the Global Environment Survey Book and incorporates environmental themes in teaching materials. For Shinkenzemi Junior High School Courses and Senior High School Courses, we provide a wide range of opportunities to study environmental issues, frequently including questions with an environmental theme.
Creation of Educational Materials
Educational materials for interdisciplinary learning periods at Japanese schools
Drawing on our know-how from providing correspondence-based education, we create teaching materials on environmental subjects that can be used at pre-schools and elementary schools.
In fiscal 2004, Benesse began producing environment-related teaching materials under contract for Okayama Prefecture. The materials are used during so-called interdisciplinary learning periods at schools. In addition to paper materials, Benesse also produces environmental education films (environmental videos) starring Shimajiro, the popular character from its Kodomo Challenge correspondence courses. The films are shown at environment-related events and other venues.
Collection and Recycling of Videotapes
To make it easier for customers it supplies with video teaching materials, Benesse is collecting and recycling these tapes. In fiscal 2008, about 3,200 cassettes were collected from members of Shinkenzemi Elementary School Courses and Benesse business sites. Recycled materials from these tapes were used as raw materials for plastic products.
Recycling of Stretch-Wrap Film
Stretch-wrap film is compressed and transformed into surveying stakes.
Since July 2007, the Benesse Logistics Center, one of Benesse's distribution bases located in Setouchi City, Okayama Prefecture, has been recycling stretch-wrap film used to prevent cargo from toppling over during delivery. As a result of these activities, the center recycled 41 tons of stretch-wrap film in fiscal 2008.
Reducing Paper by Improving the Red Pen Teacher System
Benesse has worked to reduce the amount of paper used by Red Pen Teachers in Shinkenzemi Elementary School Courses by approximately 6.4 million sheets over the two-year period since 2007. This has involved Red Pen Teachers marking work online rather than printing out and marking papers. However, the initiative required more than simply transferring the marking task to the web; it also involved surveys, design and development and other painstaking steps to ensure that service quality and productivity weren't adversely affected.
No. of Sheets of Paper Used for Marking by Red Pen Teachers in Shinkenzemi Elementary School Courses
*Excludes examination papers
Procurement of Eco-Friendly Paper for Printing
Because Benesse uses a substantial volume of printing paper, it is promoting the procurement and usage of eco-friendly paper (i.e., recycled paper, chlorine-free paper, or FSC-certified paper) for its printing needs.
The usage rate of this sort of paper in fiscal 2008 was 99.0%, compared to 98.6% in fiscal 2007.
Procurement of Eco-Friendly Paper
*February 2008 to January 2009
(Benesse Corporation procurement only)
Measures to Reduce the Volume of Paper Used
We use projectors at meetings, lowering the volume of materials distributed, reduce the number of pages copied or printed by using both sides and shrinking copies, and take other steps to achieve a paperless office. While the total number of sheets of paper used had been increasing, we have managed to cut the monthly amount of paper used per employee by approximately 12% from 1,458 sheets in fiscal 2005 to 1,289 sheets in fiscal 2008.
Promotion of Waste Reduction, Separation and Recycling
We strictly enforce the separation and disposal of waste as specified at each business location and recycle materials as far as we can. Employees check the separation of waste themselves. At the Okayama Headquarters and the Tokyo Head Office (Tama Office), refuse from the employee cafeterias is composted. Over the 4 years since 2005, we have reduced total waste at these 2 locations by roughly 27%.
Energy-Saving Activities in Offices
We are working to lower energy consumption by operating office equipment more efficiently, and by turning off lights and computers when not in use. At the Tokyo Head Office (Tama Office), where individualized energy management is mandated by Japan's Act on the Rational Use of Energy, our efforts to reduce electricity and steam consumption have lowered CO2 emissions per specific energy consumption by 5% since fiscal 2006.
Recycling Office Wastepaper
Wastepaper is recycled into toilet paper
As a rule, wastepaper generated by offices at Benesse is recycled. Furthermore, shredded documents are recycled into toilet paper (at the Tama Office only).
Office-Based Environmental Activities (Okayama Headquarters)
Benesse Receives “Land of Sunshine Cool Biz Award” from Okayama Prefecture
The Okayama Headquarters applied to be considered for Okayama Prefecture's “2008 Cool Biz from Okayama Pronouncement,” and as a result Benesse was awarded the “Land of Sunshine Cool Biz Award.” The award judges were particularly impressed by the installation of sun-blocking curtains, the fact that recommended temperature settings are displayed prominently on all air-conditioning thermostats throughout the building, and other similar initiatives.
Some 214 companies and other organizations within Okayama Prefecture, including Benesse, took part in this awards contest, with awards presented to 12 participants for their unique approaches to the Cool Biz challenge. The awards ceremony took place in July at the Okayama Prefectural Government Office, where Okayama Governor Masahiro Ishii expressed his hope that Benesse would continue to serve as an example to other companies for enhancing environmental performance.
Award certificate
The Governor of Okayama (left) presenting award to Yagi (right), Deputy Director of the Human Capital & General Affairs Division
Sun-blocking curtain
Temperature displayed on an AC thermostat panel
Environmental Activities at Offices (Osaka Office)
Participate in the Clean Osaka 2008
Participants in the Osaka Office's cleanup
In November 2008, the Osaka Office cleaned up its vicinity. Participating groups picked up rubbish as part of the Clean Osaka 2008 cleanup campaign run by the City of Osaka's Environment Secretariat, which is promoting the creation of a beautiful, litter-free city.
During the cleanup, workers at local companies and delivery people expressed surprise at how clean the place had become. The Osaka Office aims to continue actively conducting environmental activities deeply rooted in the local community.
Office-Based Environmental Activities (Kyushu Office)
Benesse Receives “Eco Offices” from Fukuoka Prefecture
The award certificate
To encourage efforts to combat global warming, Fukuoka Prefecture is recruiting business offices within the prefecture to be “Eco Offices,” by taking the initiative in energy efficiency and resource conservation activities. The best offices from among those taking part are selected for special commendation.
From the 194 offices that entered the competition in fiscal 2007, one first place and two second place offices were chosen in each of three categories-“Measures to reduce electricity consumption,” “Measures to reduce automobile fuel usage,” and “Other Earth-friendly activities”-with Benesse's Kyushu Office taking first prize in the last category (announced October 2008.)
