Signatory Name: Mitsubishi Pencil Australia Pty Ltd

Transcription

1 Signatory Name: Mitsubishi Pencil Australia Pty Ltd The question numbers in this report refer to the numbers in the report template. t all questions are displayed in this report. Status: Complete The content in this APC Annual Report is hereby endorsed by the Chief Executive Officer, or equivalent officer of the organisation Industry sector (please select 1 only): Brand Owner / Wholesaler / Retailer Packaging Manufacturer Waste Management Other - Commercial Organisation Community Group Industry Association Government Raw Material Supplier Other: Industry type (please select 1 only): Food & Beverage Pharmaceutical / Personal Care / Medical Hardware Homewares Communications / Electronics Clothing / Footwear / Fashion Chemicals / Agriculture Fuel Large Retailer Tobacco Shipping Company Airline Other: Stationery/ Office Products Please indicate your organisation's reporting period: Financial Year: 1 July June 2015 Calendar Year: 1 January December 2015 Was your action plan extended or updated to cover the APC transitional year (01/07/ /06/2016)?

2 If yes, what is the period of your extended or updated action plan? Start Date: End Date: 01/07/ /06/2016 Goal 1: Design KPI 1: % of signatories with documented policies and procedures for evaluating and procuring packaging using the SPGs or equivalent. 9. Does your company have documented policies and procedures for evaluating and procuring packaging using the SPGs or equivalent? 10. Of the types of packaging existing at the beginning of the reporting period, what percentage had been reviewed using the Sustainable Packaging Guidelines (SPG) by the end of the reporting period? 1 Have any new types of packaging been introduced during the reporting period? 1 Provide details of policies and procedures Mitsubishi Pencil Australia has used this policy for evaluating packaging using the Sustainable Packaging Guidelines for three of its product lines representing 90% of our product sales. 90 % If yes, of the new types of packaging introduced during the reporting period, what percentage have been reviewed using the Sustainable Packaging Guidelines (SPG) by the end of the reporting % 13. Please indicate your progress this year towards achieving your annual targets and milestones for KPI 1 Establish a documented policy and procedure for evaluating and procuring packaging using the SPG. A policy document has been in place for a year now that sets out the SPG assessment procedure to evaluate the different packaging forms that we place on the Australian market. This has been used in three SPG assessments so far. Communicate Mitsubishi Pencil s APC signatory commitments and obligations to staff. With the membership of the APC Team consisting of a broad cross section of the organisation, these members keep their relevant staff informed of our involvement as a signatory to the APC. In addition, the employee induction process includes providing information about and raising awareness of Mitsubishi Pencil Australia s membership of the APC in line with company Quality Assurance requirements (ISO 9001:2008). In 2014, training was also provided to our APC Team, by third party consultants, covering our APC obligations and the process required to complete the necessary SPG assessments.

3 Engagement with stakeholders, including our Japanese Head Office, about our APC obligations, including the implementation of the SPG assessment process. Review all new packaging using the SPG assessment process. Review all existing packaging using the SPG assessment process. We have conducted three SPGs to date, involving contacting not only our relevant domestic packaging suppliers, but also engaging with our Head Office in Japan. The first SPG assessment required us to engage with our Head Office, including a request that they complete a questionnaire containing SPG assessment information for the main forms of packaging that is imported into Australia. This, together with ongoing meetings via video-conferencing, means that we are in regular contact with our Japanese Head office regarding our APC obligations. new products were introduced in Two more SPG assessments were conducted in 2015, meaning, in total, that we have undertaken SPG assessments for in excess of 90% of our packaging Establish the new product development process used by overseas Head Office. Establish and maintain a centralised database containing all documentation and other information relating to the Covenant and the results from SPG assessments. A significant majority of the packaging is designed, specified and developed by the Mitsubishi Pencil Japanese Head Office for use around the world. However, as the overseas design team become more aware of the SPG requirements, we hope to be able to influence the global packaging design process. There is a small amount of packaging that is specified locally by some of our customers which we source from domestic packaging suppliers. We are currently engaging these domestic suppliers with the SPG assessment process. Mitsubishi Pencil Australia is using a secure, cloud based management system whereby all information relating to our three Sustainable Packaging Guideline Assessments is held for review and updated as required. This enables our staff, who are involved in responding to Mitsubishi Pencil Australia s obligations as a signatory to the APC, to evaluate progress on our individual Sustainable Packaging Guidelines assessments, as well as our broader APC obligations. 14. Describe any constraints or opportunities that affected performance under this KPI Mitsubishi Pencil Australia has used its local SPG assessment policy and procedure to conduct three SPGs representing approximately 90% of the products sold in Australia. This SPG information is stored on a secure, cloud based system that enables relevant staff to review progress on our individual Sustainable Packaging Guidelines assessments in one place. We continue to engage with our Japanese Head Office which specifies and procures the majority of packaging for the global market (including Australia) to inform them of our APC obligations and the SPG requirements in particular. One of the SPG assessments that we conducted this year meant that we were able to engage with additional local suppliers of packaging for a blister and card packaging form, seeking their completion of a SPG questionnaire.

4 Goal 2: Recycling KPI 3: % signatories applying on-site recovery systems for used packaging. 15. Do you have on-site recovery systems for recycling used packaging? at all facilities/ sites at some, but not all facilities/ sites 16. Please indicate your progress this year towards achieving your annual targets and milestones for KPI 3 Maintain and potentially expand our existing segregation and collection programs in the warehouse. Review current recycling and waste levels and establish a baseline against which to assess future progress. We have well marked waste and recycling bins throughout the warehouse to encourage the proper segregation of our waste materials. While making it a priority to re-use boxes received with goods inwards for dispatching goods from our warehouse, we aim to recycle 100% of the cardboard cartons we can t re-use. The same registered contractor, which is a signatory to the APC, picks up both the waste and recycling. As we are in a shared warehouse facility it is not possible to split out the waste and recycling amounts attributed to Mitsubishi Pencil Australia. However, we will continue to review the waste and recycling amounts for which we are charged to ensure that we continue to maximise our efforts to send as much onsite waste to the recycling stream. Based on what we are charged, and similar to last year, the ratio of recycling to waste is estimated to be in the order of 53% recycling to 47% waste, by weight, being picked up by the registered contractor. 3. Formalise employee education program about recycling and waste reduction and incorporate the program into the induction process. As part of the employee induction process, in line with Quality Assurance requirements (ISO 9001:2008), new employees are briefed on Mitsubishi Pencil Australia s membership of the APC, which includes highlighting waste and recycling practices and procedures Identify and use items of secondary and tertiary packaging which have potential for reuse as protective packaging. Install and manage on-site recycling facilities in all office areas. Our packing and picking staff are trained to ensure that, as a priority, we re-use boxes received with goods inwards for use with goods we dispatch from our warehouse. This makes sense from both a cost saving and sustainability perspective. In the office, we recycle all our printer cartridges through the Close The Loop program. As well, we participated in a PhoneCycle mobile phone recycling initiative, resulting in all company handsets being recycled. The funds raised from this were donated to various charities. We have a central bin in the office for staff to deposit their waste paper for recycling. As well, we recycle secure documents that are shredded first.

5 17. Describe any constraints or opportunities that affected performance under this KPI As part of the induction process, all new staff are briefed on Mitsubishi Pencil Australia s membership of the APC, which includes highlighting waste and recycling practices and procedures. Mitsubishi Pencil Australia continues to reuse the cardboard cartons received with goods inwards, for goods outwards, where they are fit for purpose. For those cartons not considered fit for purpose, they are placed in the recycling bins. As we share the warehouse facility with another tenant, it is not possible to accurately breakdown the actual waste and recycling figures attributed to Mitsubishi Pencil Australia operations that is taken away by the registered contractor (which is also an APC member). However, based on the overall figures invoiced to us (for which we pay a share), the recycling/waste breakdown is estimated to be 53%/47%. KPI 4: Signatories implement formal policy of buying products made from recycled packaging. 18. Does your company have a formal policy of buying products made from recycled packaging? Provide details of policies and procedures (including names of policies/ procedures) In 2014, Mitsubishi Pencil Australia implemented a Green Procurement Policy that was endorsed by our Managing Director. The policy reflects existing good practice procurement in relation to products that we buy that have recycled content. 19. Is this policy actively used? 20. Please indicate your progress this year towards achieving your annual targets and milestones for KPI 4 Formalise a Buy Recycled Purchasing Policy and identify opportunities to introduce recycled content across a broader range of items procured (beyond packaging). A Green Procurement Policy, endorsed by our Managing Director, has been in place for a year now. This policy reflected existing practices and procedures around purchasing items with recycled content, including purchasing 100% carbon neutral paper for the office and office trays which have 97% recycled content. We also continue to use our own eco pen product that is manufactured using recycled materials. As part of the SPG assessment process, request suppliers to advise if packaging is made from recycled materials. In response to seeking SPG information from our suppliers and Japanese office in relation to boxed stock imported into the country, we have determined that most of the cardboard boxes have recycled content ranging from 80% to 100%. 2 Describe any constraints or opportunities that affected performance under this KPI From our SPG assessments we have determined that there is between 80% to 100% recycled content in our secondary and tertiary cardboard boxes. These boxes come from either domestic suppliers and used to distribute products around Australia, or from our Japanese head office which are used to import products into Australia. Our own Buy Recycled Policy, endorsed by our Managing Director in 2014, reflects existing practice for the purchase of non-packaging items containing recycled content, such as office paper and plastic in/out trays.

6 Goal 3: Product Stewardship KPI 6: % signatories with formal processes to work collaboratively on packaging design and / or recycling. 2 Does your company have formal processes in place for collaborating with other companies or organisations on improved packaging designs and/or recycling which aims to reduce or eliminate waste? Provide details of policies and procedures (including names of policies/ procedures) We have engaged with our domestic packaging suppliers by seeking their responses to our SPG assessment questionnaire. We continue to engage with our Japanese partner about how best to integrate our APC obligations, including the SPG process, as the majority of products that are imported come from our partner s production facilities based in Japan. Mitsubishi Pencil also has production facilities based in China and Vietnam. 23. Please indicate your progress this year towards achieving your annual targets and milestones for KPI 6 3. Formulate a documented policy to review all packaging against the SPG and develop a supplier s questionnaire to assist in answering the questions raised in the SPG. Implementation of the Sustainable Packaging Guidelines assessments against our main packaging lines Instigate regular meetings with our Japanese Head Office and local packaging suppliers to identify improved packaging options. We have had a documented policy in place for a year now reflecting the process that we follow for undertaking the three SPGs we have conducted to date representing 90% of product sales. This includes approaching 4 suppliers and our Head office requesting that they complete a questionnaire in line with the SPG assessment process that we follow. As a result of our interaction with one of our domestic packaging suppliers we have identified that it has strong environmental credentials that meet many of the SPG requirements, including factory electrical power being sourced from 100% renewable sources. As well, the company is a FSC chain of custody certified entity. Mitsubishi Pencil Australia has regular contact, including the use of videoconferencing, with our Japanese Head Office over a range of issues including our obligations as a signatory to the APC, which incorporates the SPG packaging assessments. However, as the Head Office specifies and develops a significant proportion of the packaging for use around the world (including Australia), Mitsubishi Pencil Australia has limited direct influence over this packaging. There is also a small amount of packaging that is specified by some of our Australian customers which we source from packaging suppliers in Australia. Therefore, we will continue to engage with all parties in the supply chain, informing them of our APC obligations with the aim of impacting on not only the global packaging design process, but the domestic packaging requirements too.

7 24. Describe any constraints or opportunities that affected performance under this KPI As well as having regular video conferencing with our Japanese Head Office, we have also approached 4 Australian suppliers seeking information to help us complete SPG assessments for the different forms of packaging that is placed on the Australian market. We are developing a database of useful information based on the responses we have received from across the packaging supply chain about the level of compliance with the SPG assessment requirements. This will allow us to engage more knowledgeably with these supply chain participants about potential improvements to packaging design and specifications in line with SPG requirements. KPI 7: % signatories showing other Product Stewardship outcomes. 25. Please indicate your progress this year towards achieving your annual targets and milestones for KPI 7 Investigate other product stewardship opportunities. Review existing supplier data base and identify all suppliers who are APC signatories or who could benefit from being APC signatories In a recent building refurbishment, all office lighting is now using more efficient LED technology. We also use various office appliances that were purchased, in part, based on their energy efficiency. As well, we continue to undertake regular maintenance of our building air-conditioning system that is operated using timer control. It was not possible to develop baselines in advance of the refurbishment to quantify these energy consumption improvements. However, all feasible efficiency improvements, within the financial budget available, were considered from a good practice point of view. Both of the third party logistic providers we contract have stated corporate social responsibility (CSR) policies and hold CSR as an integral part of their respective business strategies. This will result in broader product stewardship outcomes being achieved in the delivery of our products across Australia. We also offer financial support and/or product donations to a number of charities and other organisations, including schools, over the year. This support for such organisations varies from year to year. While none of our packaging suppliers are members of the APC, one printer that we use has a range of environmental initiatives in place that respond to some of the SPG assessment requirements. As well, the various cardboard boxes that are used to import products into Australia, as well as transport them within Australia, have 80% to 100% recycled content. 3. Keep company employees informed about APC activities. The employee induction process ensures that all new employees are aware of our APC obligations. We also share any relevant APC information that we receive via the APC newsletter, or other media, with our staff through all staff s.

8 4. Publish the APC Action Plan and previous Annual Reports on the company web site. In line with signatory obligations, Mitsubishi Pencil Australia has posted on our website our: APC Action Plan. first Annual Report. We will also post this Annual Report on our website when reviewed by the APC. 26. Since the beginning of the reporting period, has your company had any other outcomes related to product stewardship? If yes, please give examples of other product stewardship outcomes We have put in place a number of initiatives which aim to maintain or improve the energy management of our facility, this includes: As part of a complete office fit out, energy efficient LED lighting was installed. In addition, each office now has its own light switch, allowing more direct control of the lighting used in offices, whereas before the switches were for banks of lights, resulting in less effective control of the office lighting. Having the building air-conditioning serviced regularly to ensure it works as efficiently as possible. This air-conditioning system is also on a timer to ensure that it does not run outside of the building s main occupancy hours. Much of the office and car park lighting is on timer to ensure minimal lighting use out of hours. Staff are reminded of the importance of switching off computers and lights when they leave the building for the day. We also engage with two third party logistic providers, both of which have stated that corporate social responsibility is an integral part of their business strategy, backed up by stated policies and procedures. This will be reflected in the distribution of our products to our customers across Australia. More broadly, we offer both financial support and donate product to various charities and other organisations, including schools, throughout the year. In particular, the funds raised from our continued participation in a mobile phone recycling initiative saw these funds going to different charities. 27. Describe any constraints or opportunities that affected performance under this KPI Mitsubishi Pencil Australia continues to consider and implement the broader product stewardship opportunities associated with our compact operations. This includes installation of energy efficient LED lighting in a recent office refurbishment, together with consideration of broader philanthropic support for various charities and community organisations.

9 KPI 8: Reductions in packaging items in the litter stream. 28. Please indicate your progress this year towards achieving your annual targets and milestones for KPI 8 Identify areas of the site that have the highest litter potential and initiate, improve or maintain litter management systems in those areas. Add the appropriate recycling and litter disposal logos and phrases on all primary and secondary packaging. Mitsubishi Pencil Australia operates from a modern warehouse in Melbourne that we share with another tenant. One member of our APC Team has responsibility for ensuring that all OHS and workplace standards are in place. This includes undertaking physical monthly checks, including compiling a written report, to ensure that there are no materials left lying around that can become a litter hazard. In meeting our OHS and ISO 9001 quality assurance requirements, we ensure that we have good litter management procedures in place through the proper maintenance of the facility as a working environment. We have maintained a good relationship with our local council and neighbouring tenants for a number of years now resulting in never having had received any complaints relating to litter originating from this site. In working with our local packaging providers and the customers which specify the local packaging requirements, we are working towards having the recycling symbol printed on all card packaging by the end of this reporting year. In regard to packaging imported into Australia, our Japanese office has informed us that the recycling label is printed on the boxed dozen pen product. 29. Describe any constraints or opportunities that affected performance under this KPI Litter is unlikely to be an issue in the warehouse that we share as we have comprehensive waste disposal and recycling facilities available onsite. As well, monthly audits of the warehouse and office facility are conducted to ensure that they are maintained to an acceptable OH&S standard and that we also meet our ISO9001 accreditation. This would include ensuring that there are no litter issues identified. We are working with our local packaging suppliers and relevant customers to ensure that recycling labelling will be in place on all card packaging by the end of this reporting year.

10 Your Experiences This section lets you share with us any achievements, good news stories and areas of difficulties in making progress against your plan and the Covenant goals and KPIs. 30. Key achievements or good news stories With the extension of the APC to 30th June 2016, Mitsubishi Pencil Australia considers that it continues to meet its APC obligations through the implementation of the actions identified in our bridging Action Plan which builds on our, now expired, original Action Plan. We have conducted a further two SPG assessments this year which, along with the first SPG, will see us cover 90% of the packaging that we place on the Australian market. We also have in place two policies, one related to the evaluation of packaging using the SPG assessment process, and one related to the consideration of purchasing products and packaging with recycled content. 3 Areas of difficulties in making progress against your plan, Covenant goals or KPIs