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As a global company, there are a number of significant topics Olympus concerns itself with, not the least of which is helping to ensure that future generations inherit a safe and prosperous environment. The Olympus Eco-Product program is a commitment toward this end.
After evaluating the distinctive features of our business and products, Olympus has established its own standards in order to reduce the environmental load of our products as much as possible. These standards, established pursuant to the Type II environmental label stipulations of ISO 14021, focus on:
After evaluating the distinctive features of our business and products, Olympus has established its own standards in order to reduce the environmental load of our products as much as possible. These standards, established pursuant to the Type II environmental label stipulations of ISO 14021, focus on:
- reducing electric power consumption while products are in use;
- controlling hazardous chemical substances used in the product manufacturing process and contained in products;
- promoting efficient use and recycling of product and packaging resources; and
- providing information on environmentally conscious products to our customers.
- Digital SLRs including the E-420, E-520, E-3 and others;
- Compact Digital Cameras including the Stylus 850SW, Stylus 1010 and others;
- Phase Contrast/Dispersion, Inverted, Biological and Stereo Microscopes; and
- Industrial video scopes including the IPLEX MX and FX.
We encourage all of our customers to recycle their used, waste electronics (e-waste). E-waste recycling:
With its eye on the environment, Olympus is supporting the North American program Call2Recycle™ – helping U.S. and Canadian consumers conveniently recycle their used, rechargeable batteries found in our digital cameras, voice recorders and other portable electronics.
Olympus has joined forces with other members of the rechargeable battery industry to fund the program, which educates the public on the benefit of recycling rechargeable batteries and provides collection sites throughout North America. Here are a few points about the program:
Reduction of hazardous substances contained in products is an Olympus priority. For certain medical, scientific and industrial equipment, however, mercury (chemical symbol "Hg") is an essential constituent in specific product components — creating the intensity of light needed in microscopy, blood diagnostic and industrial inspection systems; reducing energy usage within LCD backlights; and improving the long-term reliability of instrument batteries.
While the amount of mercury contained in these products is very small, improper handling of such product waste can contribute to releases of mercury to air, water or land. Thus it is important that lamps and other products containing mercury be properly managed to protect the environment, and not be discarded in regular trash.
For this reason, Olympus will continue to pursue reductions in equipment component mercury content and encourages the recycling of such products when disposed. To learn more about recycling, call us or visit:
- Conserves natural resources, by recovering valuable materials from old electronics that can be used to make new products. As a result, we reduce greenhouse gas emissions, reduce pollution, save energy, and save resources by extracting fewer raw materials from the earth.
- Protects our surroundings, by promoting sound management of hazardous materials such as lead and mercury which are sometimes contained in electronics.
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Plug-in to eCycling program: http://www.epa.gov/epawaste/partnerships/plugin/index.htm
- The Electronics Industry Alliance's Environment Consumer Education Initiative: http://www.ecyclingcentral.com/
- Specific information for residents of Maine: All waste computer monitors, portable computers, digital picture frames, televisions, portable DVD players, desktop printers, and video game consoles generated by households in Maine must be recycled. Please contact your local municipality for information about how and where to recycle your e-waste in your area. For more information about Maine’s electronic waste law, please visit the Maine Department of Environmental Protection website at www.maine.gov/dep/rwm/ewaste/index.htm.
With its eye on the environment, Olympus is supporting the North American program Call2Recycle™ – helping U.S. and Canadian consumers conveniently recycle their used, rechargeable batteries found in our digital cameras, voice recorders and other portable electronics.
Olympus has joined forces with other members of the rechargeable battery industry to fund the program, which educates the public on the benefit of recycling rechargeable batteries and provides collection sites throughout North America. Here are a few points about the program:
- When the battery can no longer hold a charge, it can and should be recycled.
- Consumers simply drop off their used rechargeable batteries at participating retail stores or community collection sites.
- After you drop off your rechargeable batteries, they are shipped to a recycling facility.
- Recyclable Olympus rechargeable battery chemistries include Nickel Metal Hydride (Ni-MH) and Lithium Ion (Li-ion).
Reduction of hazardous substances contained in products is an Olympus priority. For certain medical, scientific and industrial equipment, however, mercury (chemical symbol "Hg") is an essential constituent in specific product components — creating the intensity of light needed in microscopy, blood diagnostic and industrial inspection systems; reducing energy usage within LCD backlights; and improving the long-term reliability of instrument batteries.
While the amount of mercury contained in these products is very small, improper handling of such product waste can contribute to releases of mercury to air, water or land. Thus it is important that lamps and other products containing mercury be properly managed to protect the environment, and not be discarded in regular trash.
For this reason, Olympus will continue to pursue reductions in equipment component mercury content and encourages the recycling of such products when disposed. To learn more about recycling, call us or visit:
- www.lamprecycle.org — Sponsored by the National Electrical Manufacturers Association, LampRecycle.org is a one-stop source of information on spent mercury-containing lamp recycling.
- www.almr.org — The Association of Lighting and Mercury Recyclers is a non-profit organization representing lamp and mercury recyclers. Members provide a network throughout North America to assist with the recycling and recovery of spent mercury lamps, batteries, and electronic products.
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