Kodak and the environment

[bob100684]

In my search for jobs in the environmental sciences, I went to kodak's employement page and noticed that they don't seem to have a category for compliance or environmental sciences like many major manufacturers in the United States. An automated email seems to indicate that they indeed do not. In what way is it acceptable for them to not be responsible for maintaining a clean environment or monitoring any outputs of pollution at their plants?

 

[Sirius Glass]

No, Kodak has worked quite hard to clean up problems from the past and comply to all the present laws.

The problem you are having is that you are not using the right job title. Since I am no longer at Kodak, I cannot supply you with the right job title. Perhaps someone else can.

Steve

 

[Bruce Watson]

Twelve to one they contract nearly all the environmental stuff out to specialists.

 

[Sirius Glass]

Twelve to one they contract nearly all the environmental stuff out to specialists.

What do they do after 1 PM? or before 12 noon?

Please advise.

Steve

 

[John Koehrer]

Between 9 and 12 is pre-lunch break, 12-1 is lunch and 1-5 is post lunch break and recess.

 

[Sirius Glass]

Between 9 and 12 is pre-lunch break, 12-1 is lunch and 1-5 is post lunch break and recess.

Thank you. I was wondering why "twelve to one" was posted earlier by Bruce. Now I am clear on the topic.

Steve

 

[Photo Engineer]

Kodak has an extensive program regarding environmental issues. Over and above the decrease in sales, they have reduced chemical contaminants by a huge amount. This effort started in the 60s with the elimination of Mercury and Cadmium in photo products and continues to the present.

Environmentalists locally contend that there is a conspiracy to "protect" Kodak, but every time they think they have that evidence it turns against them, such as their collectioin devices using a Methylene Chloride solvent to prepare the collection container showing high Methylene Chloride which was coming from their own equipment. They printed a retraction. Then they found evil colored chemical contaminants leaking from Kodak Park onto the I 390 highway which turned out to be a natural spring leaking algae containing water. Another retraction.

So, they have a program at all levels and a hard working community communication program to work with local neighbors to insure clean air. They have been accused and some of the complaints have been valid but they always respond and "do better".

PE

 

[Sirius Glass]

Thank you PE. I knew Kodak was serious about clean up its environment, but I lacked the details that you supplied.

Steve

 

[Dave Pritchard]

Most of those environmental compliance officer positions are in manufacturing facilities or factories. Product-related environmental factors are usually handled by product design engineering (along with upper management and marketing input). I don't know Kodak, but I'd expect a chemical engineering company to expect all engineers to be aware of all issues related to toxics. Have you done the same search at 3M?

 

[Photo Engineer]

Dave;

I agree. Kodak basically told us that they wanted to get rid of Cadmium and Mercury in the emulsions and Ferricyanide and Formalin in the process. We then did our jobs to comply with managements dictates on environmental concerns.

In the plant, as opposed to R&D, the engineers had the mandate to reduce the contamination from the incinerator, and so they installed new scrubbers, and in other parts of the plant they increased the efficiency of the water treatment facility. There was no environmental science dept. or personage. It was just that every engineer was expected to do his/her job with high awareness of the environment.

We had to do BOD and COD asessments of our new processes and the same for making the new products. That is why new products take a large team with a long development time and why Kodak products are somewhat more expensive. When we came out with these new products, the competition merely came out with compatible products. After all, Kodak did the R&D for them when you get right down to it.

PE

 

[AgX]

Bob,

Perhaps here you will find more information of interest to you:

http://www.kodak.com/US/en/corp/HSE/healthSafetyAndEnvironmentalAnnualReports.jhtml?pq-path=7211

 

[alexmacphee]

Fascinatingly informative.

 

[Aurum]

They will be recovering as much as possible, as a lot of the materials, especially things like silver and gold will have a large commercial value and will help offset the costs of recovery.

 

[Sirius Glass]

Why are there no cries for Ilford or Fuji to show their environmental cleanups? Are Ilford and Fuji getting a free pass again?

Interested Readers Want to Know!

Steve

 

[msage]

Why are there no cries for Ilford or Fuji to show their environmental cleanups? Are Ilford and Fuji getting a free pass again?

Interested Readers Want to Know!

Steve

Why do you think that "Ilford and Fuji getting a free pass again"?

 

[Sirius Glass]

Why do you think that "Ilford and Fuji getting a free pass again"?

Because no one is questioning them.

Steve

 

[Q.G.]

A few years ago, Ilford/Harman proudly announced that they had done beter than was demanded in EU regulations, many years in a row, and were given an award for that.

It's not quite a free pass, an award ...

 

[Sirius Glass]

A few years ago, Ilford/Harman proudly announced that they had done beter than was demanded in EU regulations, many years in a row, and were given an award for that.

It's not quite a free pass, an award ...

Great. I am glad to hear it.

The free pass comment is aimed at posters who will decry Kodak for this or that, or call for Kodak boycotts, but look the other way when Ilford or Fuji commit the same alleged offense.

Steve

 

[AgX]

Steve,

Kodak have their environmental reports, Agfa have theirs.
So I'm sure Fuji have too. Seemingly it is a matter of finding them.

 

[Kirk Keyes]

Observation A:

In my search for jobs in the environmental sciences, I went to kodak's employement page and noticed that they don't seem to have a category for compliance or environmental sciences like many major manufacturers in the United States.

Observation B:

An automated email seems to indicate that they indeed do not.

Conclusion:

In what way is it acceptable for them to not be responsible for maintaining a clean environment or monitoring any outputs of pollution at their plants?

I'm glad you did such an exhaustive amount of research before coming to that obvious conclusion.

Perhaps a few more classes in logic and reasoning are in order before you start looking for a job in environmental science.

(If you think I'm not qualified to make such a comment, I actually do have a job in the environmental field - I analyze air for volatile organic compounds using GC/MS.)