Kyocera Document Solutions South Africa (KDZA), one of this country's leading document solutions companies, has earned the ISO 14001:2015 certificate, highlighting the strength of the entity's environmental sustainability strategy.

KDZA doesn't merely pay lip service to environmental sustainability. The company's founder Dr Kazuo Inamori acknowledged that this must be the guiding business strategy, especially with global challenges around climate change. Says Natalie Lombard, Environmental Management System Manager at Kyocera Document Solutions South Africa, "The ISO 14001:2015 certification is the latest recognition of the company's environmental sustainability plan, which has long been at the heart of the business. We consistently aim to reduce energy and material consumption. In addition, we have a recycling programme for toner products."

Looking towards the company's product portfolio, a core focus remains on digital document management that aims to optimise business workflows. This has been pivotal to the company's on-going digital transformation development which has allowed automated systems to fuel efficiencies within the company whilst benefitting the environment as a whole. The ISO 14001:2015 certification was awarded to KYOCERA Document Solutions Europe following the successful audits of all the individual sales companies.

Kyocera Document Solutions South Africa receives the ISO 14001:2015 certification status, as the entity falls under Kyocera Document Solutions Europe's certification.

"Ensuring that we operate in an environmentally responsible way is one of the most important goals we face as an organisation, and one that we are committed to prioritising as we improve and innovate to allow for further developments," said Takuya Marubayashi, President of Kyocera Document Solutions Europe.

"There is no planet B and the ISO 14001:2015 certification is evidence of our fundamental focus on caring for our planet through sustainable actions such as using resources more efficiently whilst reducing waste."

Controlling the processes across the regions in which the organisation operates, Kyocera Document Solutions continues treating the environment with respect while proactively working towards ensuring optimal working conditions for all staff and contractors. This is shown in several initiatives, such as the goal to reduce CO2 emissions and the "Toner Take Back" recycling program. This toner program on average results in over 600,000kg of empty toners being collected across Europe and aims to ensure that Kyocera products are managed in a sustainable way from product development to end of life. Such initiatives are in-line with the company philosophy of "doing the right thing as a human being" and striving to make the world a better place.

Communicating the goal to continue being a more ecological organisation has further enabled Kyocera Document Solutions to make strides with its Environmental Policy and initiatives, all of which are available to its employees and any member of the public.

Having obtained the ISO 14001 certification for the first time in 2007, the latest recognition reflects the organisation's continued efforts of remaining sustainable as a key priority alongside its growth across Europe, the Middle East and Africa. With new and on-going operations, Kyocera has shown its desire to remain environmentally friendly in all of its endeavours leading up to the 27th anniversary of the establishment of Kyocera's landmark Environmental Charter in October.