Kyocera Communications, Inc., a San Diego-based provider of wireless phones in the Americas and a wholly owned subsidiary of Kyocera International Inc., has received the Director’s Recycling Award for environmental programs by the City of San Diego’s Environmental Services Department (ESD). It is the thirteenth consecutive year the company, which operates multiple divisions in San Diego, has been awarded by the City for its recycling efforts. Overall, Kyocera has earned 20 such awards for recycling programs and other environmental efforts from the City – more than any other business in San Diego, according to the ESD.
Kyocera companies held the first annual Earth Expo on April 19 in San Diego with approximately 50 exhibitors sharing Earth-friendly tips, products and services under Kyocera International’s “Solar Grove” of energy-generating parking shelters. The various Kyocera divisions also conducted a city-wide eWaste recycling campaign with STAR 94.1, NBC San Diego and numerous Irvine Company properties. Recycled mobile phones were donated to Cell Phones for Soldiers, a non-profit organization that recycles donated phones to provide deployed and returning members of the U.S. military cost-free methods to communicate with family while serving. Ultimately, Kyocera was able to provide 29,220 minutes of long-distance phone service to troops at southern California’s Camp Pendleton.
Founded 54 years ago, Kyocera Corporation has maintained a philosophy of “harmonious coexistence” and a commitment to social responsibility and environmental protection. Kyocera Communications Inc. continued its leadership role in environmentally friendly business practices during the past year, recycling more than 36,778 pounds of paper, plastic, electronic and other waste materials otherwise destined for landfills, an increase of 37.5 percent over the previous year. Kyocera employees also participated in a volunteer beach cleanup at La Jolla Shores, sorting and disposing of trash and recyclable materials.
Kyocera continues to expand its environmentally friendly business processes – from waste reduction and recycling to utilizing recycled materials for mobile phone packaging and streamlining our shipping processes, which in turn contributes to our bottom line,” said Eric Anderson, senior vice president and general manager of sales and marketing at Kyocera Communications Inc. “This year, Kyocera companies joined together to help increase awareness of the simple changes we can make for a positive impact on the environment, especially for businesses. Our eWaste campaign has continued to grow in awareness and popularity in San Diego, with donations to Cell Phones for Soldiers doubling over last year.
