CSR

Green Curtain Project

The Hitachi Chemical Group is working on an employee participation program called the “Green Curtain Project” (a campaign to promote the use of "green curtains" of vegetation) as part of its “Team -6 %” program, a national campaign geared to reduce global warming.

The “green curtain” refers to preventing indoor temperature rise by cutting direct sunlight and utilizing the transpiration from leaves using curtain-like vines to cover windows and walls of buildings. This allows a reduction in the use of air conditioners.

The program, which until 2005 was run at Namie Hitachi Chemical Co., Ltd., was expanded to the whole of the group as a project starting 2006. It operated at seven company sites last year, then at a total of nine sites, including two new sites (Saitama Works of Shin-Kobe Electric Machinery Co., Ltd., Hitachi Chemical Coated Sand Co., Ltd.) in FY 2007.

Also, as of FY2008, we delivered the plants to the elementary schools in Ibaraki prefecture, and in collaboration with a NPO, “Midori no Katen Ouen Dan (Green Curtain Support Party)”, we had printed and donated the “green curtain handbook” to the schools.

Participating companies and company sites in the Green Curtain Project 2008

map of Participating companies and company sites in the Green Curtain Project 2007

An example of setting up the green curtain

Green curtain locations

East, south and west sides of office or plant building (to block off sunlight by growing plants covering the windows)

Plants suitable for green curtain

Vines such as gourd, bitter melon, chayote, and morning glory (Plants with dense leaves are preferable)

Materials required

Seeds, potting compost, paper cups, trellis (bamboo poles and plastic net)

Setting up

①From around the end of April to the beginning of May, sow seeds in potting compost in paper cups (with a hole in the bottom).
②Build a trellis using bamboo poles and plastic net at the location you wish to set up the green curtain.
③Bed out young plants after they come into bud, then sit back and wait to enjoy your green curtain from July.
④Bitter melon etc. can be harvested through September and October. Share them out for an interesting way to stimulate family conversation.