Kodak Announces First Year Progress Results On 5-Year Environmental Goals.

Business Editors/Environmental Writers

ROCHESTER, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 21, 2000

Eastman Kodak Company today announced the results of its first year of effort toward reaching a set of 5-year environmental goals to reduce emissions, preserve natural resources, and strengthen the management system by which the company drives its environmental responsibilities.

"The news is very good. On a worldwide basis, Kodak people have made significant progress toward every goal," said R. Hays Bell, director of Health, Safety, and Environment and vice-president. "While these goals apply to all of our plants around the world, by far the most dramatic progress was made right here in Rochester."

Announced a year ago, the goals are voluntary and are designed to accelerate the rate of progress the company has been making over the past decade to reduce its environmental impact. The base year against which these goals are measured is 1997. The target date to accomplish the goals is January 1, 2004.

Goal: 40% reduction of 30 priority chemicals. Progress after one year: 31 % reduction worldwide, 22% reduction at Kodak Park.

Goal: 50% reduction of methylene chloride. Progress: 36% reduction worldwide, 36% reduction at Kodak Park.

Goal: 20% decrease in emissions of carbon dioxide from power production. Progress: 10% reduction worldwide, 6% reduction at Kodak Park.

Goal: 15% decrease in energy usage. Progress: 18% decrease worldwide, 13% at Kodak Park.

Goal: 15% decrease in water usage. Progress: 15% decrease worldwide, 12% at Kodak Park.

Goal: 25% reduction in manufacturing waste. Progress: 11% decline worldwide, but a 1% increase at Kodak Park. The increase was due to adjustments in our list of vendors for recycling. New recycling programs now in place will enable the company to meet this goal by the deadline of Jan. 1, 2004.

Goal: Eliminate the use of heavy metals from Kodak products in as many targeted applications as possible. While progress toward this goal cannot yet be quantified, it can be reported in terms of specific products and components, such as the elimination of cadmium photosensors in digital cameras. In addition, silver-cadmium relays in film processors were eliminated, mercury as a plastic resin hardener has been eliminated, and certain leaded glass lenses have been replaced with non-lead alternatives. However, there are some uses of heavy metals for which there is no alternative yet, such as lead shielding around x-ray film and lead solder in printed circuit boards.

Goal: Strengthen our environmental management system by achieving certification under the international ISO14001 environmental standard for all major manufacturing sites. This is a set of requirements designed to enhance oversight, reporting, and accountability. Result: 18 total Kodak sites are certified, with an additional nine sites currently preparing for certification. It is anticipated that these remaining nine sites will have achieved certification by year-end 2002.

Editor's Note: For additional information about Kodak, visit our web site on the Internet at: www.kodak.com