Social Responsibility

Konica Minolta Business Solutions (UK) Ltd., a sales company of office equipment and solutions in the United Kingdom, has been working closely with local communities on an educational program to enhance the environmental awareness of children since 2008. The program aims to help children develop understanding of the importance of waste reduction through the 3Rs (Reduce, Reuse & Recycle) and to empower them to make choices that have a positive impact on environmental preservation, through four 90-minute classes per one month. In 2010, the company implemented the program at 30 schools for 600 children. In future, the company aims to offer classes for 900 children.
In recognition of these efforts, the company was awarded the Green Hero Shield by the Green Organisation, a non-profit organization.

Konica Minolta is a participant and a partner in a variety of forest protection initiatives. One of these is the Takao Forest Society. Focusing on the natural vegetation in the national forest located in Uratakao, in the western part of Tokyo Metropolis, the Society aims, by thinning the trees, planting more, clearing undergrowth and so on, to re-create a lush forest where coniferous trees mingle with broad-leaved varieties. Konica Minolta is a corporate member of the Society, and the employees take part in its activities, working up a sweat for the cause of fostering better forests. In addition, the quarterly newsletter of the Society is printed using Konica Minolta's digital printing system.

Not long ago, the number of red-crowned cranes^* indigenous to Japan plummeted due to the deterioration of their native habitat. The bird was, for a time, on the verge of extinction. However, thanks to the establishment of the Tsurui Ito Red-Crowned Crane Sanctuary in 1987 by the Wild Bird Society of Japan, and to the protection activities undertaken by local residents and concerned organizations, the number of cranes has increased to more than 1,000. Konica Minolta has been a supporter of the crane-protection activities since the establishment of the sanctuary. As part of this effort, Konica Minolta co-sponsors the Konica Minolta Japanese Red-Crowned Crane Charity.

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The red-crowned crane is a large bird with a white body and a patch of red on the crown of its head. Its habitat extends from eastern Eurasia to Hokkaido in Japan.

Konica Minolta sponsored an Environmental Photo Contest designed to help foster a love of nature by showing the planet as it appears now, through photographs. The theme of Konica Minolta Award is “ color and light,” using the concept that beautiful light and color are a reflection of a beautiful Earth.

Konica Minolta Business Solutions Australia Pty. Ltd., a sales company for office equipment and solutions, participated in a nationwide recycling week in November 2010, organized by the Australian non-profit organization Planet Ark. From November 7 to 13, 2010, the company set up paper recycling containers at the head office and each branch. Enough paper to fill 10 large rubbish bins was collected for recycling.