ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on the economic and social drivers that influence that decision process in Europe. Different technologies and processes will be categorised according to the type of environmental burden they reduce at different stages of the product life-cycle. Recognising that environmental protection is one of the most pressing issues facing humankind, Sony incorporates a sound respect for nature in all of its business activities. The environmental conservation committee leads Sony’s global environmental network from its headquarters in Tokyo. The business driver for material- and energy-saving measures is a simple one: return on investment. The worldwide implementation of environmental management systems at manufacturing facilities helps Sony to identify most of the production processes that should and could be improved. The cost-effectiveness of these technologies relies on a combination of controlling the product during its full lifetime, increasing the scale of operation, internalising recycling costs and benefits, involving suppliers.
