Authors: Terrell Carothers and Teresa Cronin

When Eisai began planning the move to our new U.S. headquarters, the Eisai U.S. hhceco Center, in Nutley, New Jersey, we considered ways we could minimize the potential environmental impact.

Any time an organization moves or renovates, much of the contents of its existing workplace – furniture, appliances, equipment, supplies and more – often end up in a landfill. In fact, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, up to 8.5 million tons of workplace assets end up in North American landfills each year, contributing to carbon emissions and other forms of pollution. As such, we didn't want to see perfectly useable furniture and equipment go into a landfill and add to this cycle of waste.

Donated to 10 Local Non-profit and Charitable Organizations

We learned about an organization, Green Standards, that specializes in “sustainable decommissioning” – helping companies manage the removal and redistribution of workplace assets through charitable donations. Recognizing the potential for a win-win situation, we reached out to Green Standards to help us ensure a more sustainable and environmentally friendly outcome with our move.

Working together, we provided donations to 10 non-profit and charitable organizations in the New Jersey area, including schools and libraries.

In total, the partnership between Eisai and Green Standards turned what would have been more than 400 tons of corporate waste into $42,600 in charitable donations. This included 98% of corporate waste being diverted from landfills and 905 metric tons of C0₂ emissions reduced.

LEED Certification

We wanted to ensure that all the renovations done at our new headquarters achieved LEED certification as it is a globally recognized symbol of sustainability achievement and leadership in built environments. In addition, our hybrid working model provides eligible site-based employees the opportunity to work remotely for up to three (3) days per week, contributing to fewer people commuting daily and reducing carbon emissions.

Eisai's Global Environment Protection Policy

As we celebrate Earth Day, we find ourselves reflecting on Eisai’s human health care (hhc) mission and how our work to help people lead their fullest lives extends beyond therapeutic advancements and is tied to our efforts to support sustainability, both in our communities and across the globe. We are guided by our Environmental Protection Policy that seeks to ensure we contribute to the health and welfare of people around the world through business activities designed to build a more sustainable society.

This is best exemplified by Eisai’s global Environmental, Social and Governance initiatives, which were established to help us be a good corporate citizen and save valuable resources to make the world a better place for the many generations who will follow us. These initiatives include switching more than 50 percent of our electricity consumption to renewable sources in FY2020; reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 39.4 percent in 2020 compared to 2016; targeting achieving 100% renewable energy usage by 2030; and reaching carbon neutrality by 2040. We are also contributing to the international community in accordance with the 10 principles of the United Nations Global Compact, in order to realize sustainable growth in the international community (in the areas of Human Rights, Labour, Environment and Anti-Corruption).

At Eisai, we strive to be a good corporate citizen every day and at every level of the organization, as well as make the world a better place for all through our sustainability efforts. Whether it is helping people live healthier lives or reducing the environmental impact of our work, we are incredibly proud of how Eisai has become a force for change … and good.

Learn more about our move to the Eisai US hhceco Center and the donations we made to the various non-profit organizations.