Objective

OSRAM seeks to minimize the environmental impact of our production processes with a multitude of measures. At our plant in Foshan, China, a focus was put on the mercury content of fluorescent lamps and the waste produced by the plant.

Solution

The production department for fluorescent lamps switched to low-cost (but highly environmentally aware) production methods for reduced mercury fluorescent lamps in 2003, implanting solid mercury pills in each lamp instead of liquid mercury (see picture). As well as helping the environment, this reduces mercury exposure for workers.

The waste in the Foshan plant is treated with the same care. It is first separated into recyclable and non-recyclable materials. The recyclable material includes paper, clear glass, and metal. The non-recyclable waste includes paper or cloth with oil, coated glass and used chemicals. All the garbage is then carefully transferred, to be either recycled or disposed of carefully.

These efforts helped OSRAM Foshan win the 2003 Siemens Environmental Award for its innovative production methods, and convinced a number of employees to act more environmentally conscious in other aspects of their lives.