By Graham K. Rogers

Many companies are aware these days of the value of their involvement in "green" programs. Apart from more economic use of products, a company may have other long-term savings and there is good publicity to be earned for those seen to be actively involved in such activities.

A press release from Epson, reports that on 4 May 2012, Donald Tsang, Chief Executive of Hong Kong, presented the Bronze Award (Import and Export Trades Sector) of the 2011 Hong Kong Awards for Environmental Excellence to Stanley Law, Information Products Division Manager, Epson, Hong Kong. The award was in recognition of Epson Hong Kong's continuous efforts and commitment to the environment.

The Hong Kong office of Epson was recognised among other things for the way it has created several programs both within the office and locally for dealing with recycling of products including batteries, CDs, toner and ink cartridges, fluorescent tubes and electronic waste. As part of the involvement with the public, receptacles were set up for Epson ink and toner cartridges, and a local computer recycling program was implemented as well.

In part the citation for the award recognized the reduction in travel from the efforts made by the company in merging its three Epson Hong Kong office into one, as well as increased use of video conferencing,

The press release also states that, "Epson Hong Kong is committed to green management, and will continue its efforts to build a sustainable society."

Graham K. Rogers teaches at the Faculty of Engineering, Mahidol University in Thailand. He wrote in the Bangkok Post, Database supplement on IT subjects. For the last seven years of Database he wrote a column on Apple and Macs.