Volunteer employees from the Utsunomiya Factory participated in the "Marine Garbage Zero Week 2022" organized by the Ministry of the Environment and cleaned up the area around the factory. Our company has previously designated June as "Environment Month" and conducted cleaning activities, but this was the first time we participated in the nationwide simultaneous cleaning campaign "Marine Garbage Zero Week" organized by the Ministry of the Environment and the Nippon Foundation.
Even landlocked prefectures can contribute by working towards zero marine litter and achieving the SDGs
It is said that the amount of marine litter, including plastic, will exceed the amount of fish by 2050. In order to take immediate action, the Ministry of the Environment and the Nippon Foundation are jointly promoting a nationwide cleanup campaign under the slogan "Zero Marine Litter."
Because it is "Marine Debris Zero Week," one might think that only places with a sea can participate, but since approximately 80% of marine debris is thought to flow from land (cities) down rivers into the ocean, it is important to carry out activities not only in the ocean but also in cities in order to reduce marine debris, and even prefectures without a sea are encouraged to actively participate in this activity.
In addition, we are promoting "environmental protection activities near our factories" as one of the SDGs goals.
Our SDGs goals can be found here
Comments from employees who participated in Zero Marine Garbage Week
"We collected cigarette butts, food wrap and other items.
Although there wasn't any large garbage such as bulky garbage, when we finished collecting even small garbage, the roads were cleaned up and we felt a sense of accomplishment. We would like to participate again next year.
Collection work around the factory
Collecting trash from the road
Many people gathered
