Eleven Infinuem colleagues volunteered their time for the benefit of the local community. The first activity involved picking fragrant herbs from a museum garden to use as air fresheners. This was pot pourri with a purpose as a week later they were used at an event for local children. The second activity was a litter pick on the streets around Infineum’s Japan sales office. Carried out on the team’s own initiative, it showed our commitment to caring for the local environment — and to being good corporate neighbours.

CULTURE & COMMUNITY

The Omori Nori Museum organises a lot of community events, including introductions to Japanese culture and sessions specifically for children. Ayaka Takemoto, HSSE Specialist & Site Coordinator, who organised the volunteering afternoons comments: “We gathered and prepared herbs ready for children to turn into packs to take home. They picked their favourite herbs and then used their artistic flair to decorate each pack individually.

“Despite the museum’s focus on seaweed (nori), they grow all these scented herbs on a roof garden. It’s in keeping with their location in a large park — which many neighbours and families enjoy visiting.”

Ms Mako Igarashi from the museum adds: “Our craft events help encourage visitors. The sessions with herbs are some of our most popular because everyone likes the wonderful fragrance. In the busy season, support from volunteers is very helpful and much appreciated. Most of our community development work is done by our staff and local citizens, so we are pleased to have the opportunity to work with a local company. We look forward to building our relationship with Infineum in the future.”

GETTING HANDS-ON WITH HERBS

One of the volunteers, Taisuke Miyoshi, Industry Liaison, commented, “This was a great opportunity to feel like I was doing something worthwhile.”

NEIGHBOURHOOD CLEAN-UP

Infineum’s sustainability approach in action. Volunteers helped to protect the environment and made a positive impact in the local community.

Takemoto san concludes: “I’m encouraged to see the difference we’ve made with these two activities. It was a pleasure to work alongside my colleagues and to have such a positive impact within our local community.”