The OEM’s Filipino division has entered a partnership with two local youth-led organisations, in order to help raise awareness of environmental issues and develop a sustainable Philippines.
The company has partnered with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources–Environmental Management Bureau (DENR-EMB) and its youth arm GREENducation Philippines, as well as Rotaract Club of University District Manila (RAC-UDM), as part of its aim to work with youths to inspire environmental volunteerism through a series of youth-driven projects and eco-seminars.
As part of its project with RAC-UDM, Epson will be building a garden made out of recycled plastics or eco-bricks for the students of Cecilio Apostol Elementary School. This initiative is the third phase of its collaboration project “Saving the Planet, Juan Bottle at a Time,” with RAC-UDM.
Epson and RAC-UDM donated cleaning materials and held a seminar on waste management and recovery for phase one, and conducted an eco-brick making workshop for phase two for the residents of Barangay 345 in Sta. Cruz, Manila.
“We’ve wanted to do this project for a long time and, we’re thankful that Epson is helping us finally make it a reality,” said Shera Solon, president of RAC-UDM. “This is a milestone for us and, we’re always excited to work with brands that share the same vision for the environment as our group.”
Epson previously invited GREENducation volunteers for an eco-seminar for its employees, with a goal of educating and inspiring the attendees to live a more sustainable life inside and outside the Epson in October last year.
Greenducators facilitated discussions on basic environmental concepts and Philippine laws, zero waste lifestyle and the art of upcycling. DENR-EMB’s Section Chief of Environmental Education and Information Division, Maria Cristina Fransisco, also discussed the prevalence of microplastics, which are small and barely visible pieces of plastic that enter and pollute the environment.
“We always welcome the support from companies who are doing their own environmental initiatives. We are thankful for Epson’s active participation in advocating environmental sustainability,” said Francisco.
DENR-EMB’s GREENducation Philippines and Epson also launched recently the 1st EcoVision Short Film Competition, an inter-collegiate Public Service Announcement (PSA) video-making contest that aims to tap the artistry of Filipino students in raising public understanding of the environment and its conservation through the power of the visual medium.
With the theme “Green Solutions for Everyday Life at Home, School, or Office,” the competition focuses on simple ways that individuals can do to help in solving ecological problems, such as improper waste disposal and irresponsible use of plastics, among others.
“Epson is committed to the development of sustainable societies, seen in our commitment to support UN’s Sustainable Development Goals through our key innovation areas,” said Donna Ferro, Brand and Communications head of Epson Philippines. “We are glad to have found like-minded partners with Rotaract-UDM, DENR-EMB, and GREENducation as we conduct our 2018-2019 projects, which serve as our simple contribution to Epson’s overall environmental vision: to become an indispensable company that uses its efficient, compact and precision technologies to achieve sustainability.”
